German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday the Middle East war must not lead to the collapse of the Iranian state, warning of the impact this would have on migration to Europe. The same applies to a collapse of Iranian statehood or proxy conflicts fought on Iranian soil," he said in a statement. But Merz said a total collapse of the Iranian state would spread chaos, a point he also stressed speaking at a trade fair in Munich. "We want this state to be able to function on its own," he added of Iran. The United Nations refugee agency on Friday declared the crisis in the Middle East a major humanitarian emergency, and insisted all fleeing civilians should be granted safe passage.

Source: The Local March 06, 2026 21:48 UTC