A well-known German opposition politician has urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration to prevent the American government, led by President Donald Trump, from utilizing military facilities in Germany for its ongoing conflict with Iran, cautioning that such continued partnership would make Berlin complicit in breaching international law.
A report from Anadolu English on Thursday, April 2, 2026, mentioned that Ulrich Thoden, a member of the Bundestag from the Left Party, referenced a recent independent legal review conducted by the German parliament’s research service which found that US and Israeli attacks on Iran lack legal standing under international law. He posed the question, “If this violates international law, does that mean the German government is assisting and enabling the US in breaching international law?”
He elaborated that the review indicated if these attacks were organized or supported logistically from a German airbase, then the German government would be accountable for violating international laws. He cautioned that in such a case, Tehran might demand an apology or even compensation for war damages, which could have serious repercussions for Germany.
Thoden also highlighted Spain and a few other European nations that have already refused to permit the US to access their airspace or military bases due to similar legal issues. He urged the German Government to take similar action and called for Berlin to first verify if airstrikes are being carried out using Ramstein Air Base, an important US logistics center located in southwestern Germany.
Ulrich Thoden added, “Clearly, Germany should prohibit the Americans from using that airbase, at least for those purposes,” while emphasizing that any future cooperation with US forces on German territory should be examined more carefully.
He also urged European countries to stand together, rejecting the use of European facilities for US operations, saying, “If this international law is now violated, then all who assist the wrongdoers are also culpable and accountable,” while also recognizing the threats posed by Iran and the Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militia commonly known as Hezbollah to Israel.
