German foreign minister calls on Iran to hold peace talks with US

The German government is calling on Tehran to respond to Washington's offer of fresh peace talks.

"We are now urgently calling on Iran to come to Islamabad and negotiate constructively with the United States of America," said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of a meeting with EU colleagues in Luxembourg.

The war is soon to enter its third month and there is a desire to see the conflict resolved swiftly, Wadephul said.

"We know that the US Vice-President [JD Vance] is prepared to travel to Islamabad. Iran should now take up this offer, in the interests of its own people," he said.

"I can only urge the US side to continue to show this openness to negotiating with Iran. I believe there is still a window of opportunity to end this war through negotiations."

The German foreign minister also criticized Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

"We call on Iran to restore free and safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz without delay," he said.

Europe shares this objective with its partners in the Gulf and stands ready to help stabilize the situation once the conflict has ended, Wadephul added.

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said that she hopes the ceasefire will be extended until a diplomatic solution to the conflict has been found.