German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has criticized the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, calling their actions a violation of international law.

"Our foreign policy will not be more credible if we refuse to call a violation of international law a violation of international law," the head of state said at an event marking the 75th anniversary of the restoration of Germany's Foreign Ministry following World War II.

"This war contravenes the norms of international law — there is hardly any doubt about that," Steinmeier stated. In doing so, the president staked out a position at odds with the German government, which has so far avoided offering a legal assessment of the U.S. and Israeli strikes. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has only acknowledged that the attack on Iran has placed the German authorities in a difficult dilemma.