Berlin | German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said the ongoing conflict involving Iran cannot be resolved through military means and stressed that only a political solution can bring lasting stability.

“Bombing it into submission is, in all likelihood, not the right approach,” to creating a democratic government in Iran, he said. “There will be no military solution here.”

Responding to US President Donald Trump's calls to send warships to police the Strait of Hormuz, Merz said, “NATO is a defensive alliance, not an interventionist one.”

NATO troops deployed for 18 years to Afghanistan and its 2011 air campaign helped topple Libya's late leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Merz also warned Israel that a ground offensive in Lebanon could spur an exodus of refugees.

The German chancellor condemned Hezbollah for entering the conflict “on behalf of Iran” and called on the Lebanese militant group to stop attacking Israel and to disarm.

At the same time, he urged Israel to avoid attacking civilians in Lebanon and said a wider ground war “would further exacerbate the already highly tense humanitarian situation.”

“We therefore urge our Israeli friends: Do not take this path,” Merz said of a broader ground offensive. “It would be a mistake.”