German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expects Iran to exert its influence over Houthi terrorists in Yemen to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, he said on Thursday.
"We condemn this in the strongest possible terms and expect Iran to exert its influence on the Houthis to put an end to it," said Wadephul at a press conference in Vienna with his Israeli and Austrian counterparts.
"This shows that we need an understanding with Iran as a whole, not only regarding the development, the possible development of nuclear weapons, but also regarding Iran's regional behavior."
Houthi campaign to choke global shipping in Red Sea
Yemen's Houthis sank two cargo ships in the Red Sea this week, the first flare-up in seven months in the Iran-backed group's years-long campaign to choke global shipping in protest over the war in Gaza and the plight of the Palestinians.
Since November 2023, theHouthis have targeted more than 100 merchant ships traveling through the Red Sea, sinking four vessels, seizing another and killing at least eight sailors.
Many shipping companies have suspended voyages due to the fear of attack. The Houthis are believed to be holding six of the Eternity C's complement of 22 crew and three guards, maritime security sources said.
"We remain deeply concerned for the welfare of the crew members in the custody of the Houthis, as well as for those currently unaccounted for," Ellie Shafik, head of intelligence with UK-based maritime risk management company Vanguard Tech, said. "Their safety and swift release must be a priority for all involved."
Concerns over human rights situation in Afghanistan
Wadephul also said on Thursday that Berlin was only in technical contact with representatives of the Taliban's de facto government in Afghanistan, nothing more, and would continue to monitor the human rights situation there.
"There are serious concerns about the humanitarian situation there, the human rights situation in Afghanistan, and particularly the situation of women and girls, and we, as the federal government, will continue to make these clear to the Taliban's de facto regime," said Wadephul in Vienna.
Germany's interior minister had said earlier this month that he wants to negotiate a direct agreement with the Taliban on receiving Afghan migrants deported from Germany.