Germany’s Merz says US-Iran peace talks could avert global energy crisis

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday said he hopes the ceasefire between the US and Iran will pave the way for peace talks and avert a global energy crisis.

“The German government welcomes the two-week ceasefire agreed upon by the US and Iran last night. It thanks Pakistan for brokering this important agreement,” Merz said in a statement.

The chancellor emphasized that only a diplomatic resolution can safeguard regional stability, protect Iranian civilians, and help prevent a global economic crisis.

“The goal must now be to negotiate a lasting end to the war in the coming days. This can only be achieved through diplomatic channels,” he said.

“The German government supports these diplomatic efforts and is in close contact with the US and other partners. Germany will contribute, in an appropriate way, to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.

US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he agreed "to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks."

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a key role in brokering the ceasefire, announced on X that he invited Iranian and US delegations to Islamabad on Friday and said Washington and Tehran, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire across all conflict zones, including Lebanon.

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,400 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It has also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.