As tensions rapidly escalate in the Middle East following US–Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation across the Gulf states, Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) has called for restraint on all sides.In a sharply worded statement, AfD parliamentary leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla warned against further escalation and urged all sides to step back. “We have noted with great concern the attacks by Israel and the USA on Iran,” they said.The AfD made clear that its priority is preventing further destabilization that could spill over into Europe. “We call on all warring parties to exercise absolute restraint. The civilian population and civilian infrastructure must be protected. International law and international humanitarian law must be fully respected.”Zum Angriff auf den #Iran und zur Lage im Nahen Osten teilen die Vorsitzenden der AfD-Fraktion im Deutschen Bundestag, @Alice_Weidel und @Tino_Chrupalla, mit:„Mit großer Sorge haben wir die Angriffe Israels und der USA auf den Iran zur Kenntnis genommen. Wir fordern alle… pic.twitter.com/ddKsqi59W1— AfD-Fraktion im Deutschen Bundestag (@AfDimBundestag) February 28, 2026The party also stressed that prolonged instability in the Middle East would not benefit Germany or Europe. “The renewed destabilization of the Middle East is not in Germany’s interest and must be stopped,” Weidel and Chrupalla added.By placing German and European interests at the center of the discussion, the AfD has once again separated itself from the reflexive alignment often seen in Berlin’s political establishment.The party’s position builds on earlier remarks from Chrupalla, who last year called for an end to German arms exports to both Israel and Ukraine. At the time, he criticized Berlin’s “one-sided partisanship” in foreign conflicts, sparking heated debate across the Bundestag.That debate has now returned with new urgency. As missiles fly across the Middle East, global oil choke points are closed, and rhetoric intensifies, the AfD is framing the issue as a question of national sovereignty and prudence.Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU has taken a different approach. In a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he emphasized Western coordination.“We did not participate in these strikes, but are in close contact with our international partners, including the United States, Israel, and partners in the region,” the statement read. It reiterated a commitment to regional stability and the protection of civilian life.NEW!! E3 Statement on Iran:“We did not participate in these strikes, but are in close contact with our international partners, including the United States, Israel, and partners in the region”https://t.co/dn5TKsJcBg pic.twitter.com/Qid9fNAZUg— Alex Raufoglu (@ralakbar) February 28, 2026Merz later posted on X: “This is not the moment to lecture our allies, but to stand together in unity.”The AfD’s leadership, however, argues that unity must not come at the expense of sober judgment. Party figures have long maintained that Germany should avoid being drawn into conflicts that do not directly serve its security.Within the governing camp, voices are far from unified. Alexander Hoffmann, parliamentary leader of the Bavarian CSU, openly welcomed reports of the deaths of Iranian leaders.“The death of Ali Khamenei and other leaders of the Tehran terror regime is good news for the security of Germany and Europe,” Hoffmann told Merkur. He described the US–Israeli strikes as a justified response to Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.In contrast, Green politician Annalena Baerbock, now presiding over the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, warned against further escalation. She called the situation “extremely dangerous.”“The UN Charter is clear: all Member States must settle their international disputes by peaceful means,” Baerbock wrote, urging a return to diplomacy and negotiations.The conflicting statements highlight a broader uncertainty about the country’s foreign policy direction.I condemn the extremely dangerous military escalation in the Middle East.The UN Charter is clear: all Member States must settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered. They must also…— Annalena Baerbock (@UN_PGA) February 28, 2026The AfD’s emphasis on restraint reflects growing concerns among voters that foreign entanglements often carry unintended consequences—from economic shocks to renewed migration pressures.Germany—and most of Europe—have already faced years of energy disruptions and social strain tied to geopolitical crises. Germany, after all, bore the brunt of the mass migration waves triggered by the wars in Syria, Libya, and Iraq, absorbing millions of arrivals while other countries imposed stricter border controls. For many citizens, those experiences remain a stark reminder that distant conflicts can rapidly transform into domestic political and social crises.Critics of escalating the war in the Middle East argue that further instability in the region could once again impact domestic security and economic stability.By placing the protection of civilians and adherence to humanitarian law at the center of its message, the AfD is seeking to present itself as both firm and cautious.The party insists that avoiding escalation does not mean endorsing any regime, but rather prioritizing Germany’s long-term interests.The post AfD Urges ‘Absolute Restraint’ and Respect for Humanitarian Law in Iran Conflict appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.