This archive report was first published on 6 January 2020.
Published on January 6, 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have urged restraint in the escalating US-Iran tensions, warning of a potential war that could engulf many countries.
The US-Iran tensions escalated in May 2019 when the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for the Iranian nuclear programme. The situation worsened last week when the US used a drone to kill Iranian General Qasem Soleimani while he was in Iraq.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a joint statement, calling for de-escalation of the tension. 'We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility. The current cycle of violence in Iraq must be stopped,' the statement said.
The three leaders emphasized their commitment to continue the fight against Daesh (ISIS), which remains a high priority. They urged the Iraqi authorities to continue providing the Coalition with necessary support.
Germany, France, and the UK condemned the recent attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and expressed concern over Iran's negative role in the region. They called on Iran to refrain from further violent action or proliferation and urged it to reverse all measures inconsistent with the JCPOA.
