Germany welcomes US-Iran truce, urges diplomatic solution on Hormuz and nuclear issue

BERN, Jun 30: Germany on Tuesday welcomed the agreement between the United States and Iran to halt mutual attacks and resume negotiations, describing it as an important opportunity for diplomacy amid a fragile regional situation.

In a statement posted on X, Germany's foreign ministry said the immediate priority was to achieve a lasting solution that ensures safe and unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz while addressing Iran's nuclear programme, stressing that it "must never again pose a threat."

Meanwhile, US Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed skepticism that Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz despite the agreement.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Smith said he had seen little evidence to support the administration's optimism that Iran would agree to restore normal shipping through the strategic waterway. He added that his concern was not a lack of information from officials, but rather what he viewed as an overly confident assumption that Iran would accept US demands.

"I doubt that," Smith said.