Berlin is preparing for potential Iranian attacks, Friedrich Merz has said

Germany is preparing for potential Iranian attacks targeting the local Jewish community, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has told journalists before departing for the G7 summit in Canada. He also conveyed Berlin's support for Israel, which has initiated a large-scale bombing campaign against Iran, sparking retaliation from Tehran.

Merz justified the Israeli strikes, stating that diplomatic efforts have not convinced Iran to abandon its "military nuclear program." Tehran has repeatedly denied that it seeks to acquire nuclear weapons and maintains its nuclear program is civilian in nature.

On Friday, Israel launched a major bombing campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, as well as its top commanders and veteran nuclear scientists. West Jerusalem claimed the move was needed to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran responded with missile barrages targeting the Jewish state.

"We are making preparations here in Germany in case Iran targets Israeli or Jewish [sites]," Merz told journalists on Sunday. The chancellor also demanded Iran "immediately stop bombing civilian targets in Israel." He did not make similar demands on West Jerusalem, arguing that "Israel has the right to defend its existence and security of its citizens." 

According to Merz, Israel had asked Germany to supply it with fire extinguishing equipment. The chancellor vowed to facilitate the delivery "immediately." 

On Saturday, France also announced it would boost security around Jewish and US sites. "Special" attention should be given to "all sites that could be targeted by terrorist or malicious acts by a foreign power," Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said in a memo sent to regional security chiefs that was seen by AFP. The order covered "Israeli and US interests as well as... establishments in the Jewish community," according to the news agency.

Israeli strikes have caused at least 406 deaths and 654 injuries in Iran as of Sunday, according to the group Human Rights Activists. According to Israel's emergency service Magen David Adom, Iranian strikes have killed a total of 13 people.