Israeli foreign minister tells German counterpart attacks will go on

Israeli military operations against Iran will continue to achieve further important aims, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has told his German counterpart Johann Wadephul by phone, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Sunday

The Iranians were evidently attacking civilians, Saar said, according to the Israeli ministry statement. “But Israel is focusing on military targets and combating the Iranian nuclear programme,” he said. Saar also expressed thanks for German support of Israel’s right to self-defence.

The German Foreign Office confirmed that the two ministers had spoken on Sunday morning but declined to provide details on the conversation or to say which side had initiated the contact.

The conversation was the second between Saar and Wadephul since Israel launched its attacks on Iran three days ago.

Wadephul had planned to visit Israel on Sunday, but altered his plans after the fighting erupted. In recent days he has visited Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.