Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, has said that France, Germany and the UK, known as the E3, and Middle Eastern foreign ministers must examine the root causes of military conflict in the region.
In Istanbul, the European foreign ministers underlined the urgent need for diplomacy concerning the US-Israel war on Iran. But Baqaei said diplomacy should not be reduced to a public relations tool and such forums must examine examine the root causes of the conflict.
He condemned the alleged double standards of the E3 regarding their inaction in the face of US and Israeli military aggression against Iran, their comprehensive support for Israel, and their destructive approaches towards Iran’s nuclear issue.
Separately, in a post on X, he appeared to highlight a contrast in Germany’s position by juxtaposing statements made more than a year apart by its chancellor and foreign minister on the war on Iran.
Baqaei wrote:
June 2025: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking about Israel’s aggression against Iran, said: “This is the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us.”
October 2026: German Foreign Minister (and others) warn against renewed attacks on Iran and stress the need to prevent further escalation.
June 2025: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking about Israel’s aggression against Iran, said: “This is the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us.” October 2026: German Foreign Minister (and others) warn against renewed attacks on Iran and stress the need to prevent further escalation. Friedrich Schiller, The Maid of Orleans, Act III, Scene VI: “O exalted Reason, bright daughter of the divine mind, wise architect of the universe and guide of the stars—who are you, then, if, bound to the tail of the wild horse of madness, you must watch helplessly, crying out, as you are dragged alongside that drunken rider into the abyss?”
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) October 24, 2026