The government of Germany said on Monday that the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran is not connected to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, stressing that the military alliance is defensive in nature and not involved in the war.
Speaking to journalists in Berlin, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said the conflict should not be interpreted as a NATO operation.
“It is not NATO’s war. NATO is a defensive alliance,” Kornelius said during the briefing.
He added that the German government must carefully evaluate both the alliance’s territorial obligations and Germany’s own position regarding any participation in the conflict.
“The German government must also clearly assess the alliance’s territory and its own position on participation in this war,” he said.
The comments come as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East following military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran, raising concerns among European governments about the possibility of a wider regional conflict.
Germany has repeatedly emphasized that it does not intend to participate in military operations linked to the war.
Officials in Berlin have instead stressed the importance of avoiding further escalation that could destabilize the wider Middle East and Gulf regions.
Kornelius warned that expanding combat operations could pose serious risks for countries in the region, including those that maintain partnerships with Western nations.
“The expansion of combat operations would bear great risks for other partners in the Middle East and Gulf region,” he said.
The German government’s position reflects broader caution among several European countries regarding direct involvement in the conflict.
While some NATO members cooperate closely with the United States on security matters, the alliance itself has not announced any collective military role in the war involving Iran.
NATO was established in 1949 as a collective defense organization, meaning that member states agree to defend one another if one member is attacked.
However, the alliance does not automatically participate in all military actions undertaken by individual member states.
Germany has consistently highlighted NATO’s defensive mandate when addressing questions about the conflict.
German officials say any involvement by the alliance would require formal discussions and agreement among all member states.
The government in Berlin has also warned that a wider conflict could affect global energy markets, trade routes and regional stability.
One area of concern is the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which a large portion of the world’s oil exports passes.
Disruptions to shipping in the strait could have significant consequences for international energy supplies and global economic stability.
European governments have therefore been closely monitoring developments in the region while urging diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
Germany has traditionally advocated for multilateral dialogue and political solutions when addressing international conflicts.
Officials say that maintaining stability in the Middle East is important not only for the region itself but also for global economic and security interests.
The latest comments from the German government reaffirm Berlin’s stance that it will not take part in the US-led military campaign against Iran.
Instead, Germany continues to emphasize diplomacy and caution against actions that could expand the conflict or involve additional countries in the region.
As tensions remain high, the position outlined by Kornelius signals that Germany intends to maintain a careful and measured approach while working with international partners to reduce the risk of a broader confrontation.
