Germany and South Africa advocate for renewed US-Iran dialogue following collapsed talks

Germany and South Africa have called for renewed US-Iran negotiations to achieve a peaceful resolution after talks in Pakistan failed over the weekend. Meeting in Berlin, Foreign Ministers Johann Wadephul and Ronald Lamola emphasized the importance of maintaining the fragile ceasefire agreed on April 6, 2026, warning that renewed conflict would destabilize international security. Wadephul expressed optimism about the ceasefire and urged both sides to continue negotiations. Lamola stated that Pretoria condemned US-Israeli attacks on Iran as a violation of international law, just as it condemned Iran’s attacks on its neighbors. He expressed disappointment that negotiations ended abruptly and reiterated South Africa's belief in diplomacy and its anti-war stance. Lamola also criticized the US announcement to block vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz to or from Iranian ports. The ministers signed a 15-point plan to upgrade cooperation between their countries to a strategic partnership. This includes increased German support for South Africa's Just Energy Transition Partnership with a 200 million euro climate-related concessional loan and technical cooperation for grid and renewable energy investments. Germany also deepened its science and technology partnership in areas like energy transition, artificial intelligence, quantum research, and cybersecurity. The nations agreed to intensify cooperation in green hydrogen, battery value chains, critical raw materials, and vaccin