CSU chief supports German ‘Iron Dome' missile defense system – DW – 06/29/2025
During an unexpected visit to Tel Aviv on Sunday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt offered unqualified support for Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear weapons program.
"Iran has been destabilizing this region for years, for decades, one has to say, with its support for terrorist groups to the north, to the south, to the east of Israel," he said.
Dobrindt added that the Iranian nuclear program is "a real threat to Israel's right to exist and a threat to Europe as well."
The German minster said that Tehran had received a clear message that Israel, the United States, and other allies like Germany could not tolerate research on or construction of nuclear weapons.
Tehran insists that its nuclear program is for purely civilian purposes.
Dobrindt made these comments while visiting the site of a deadly Iranian missile attack in Holon with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
He described the attack as an assault on the civilian population and expressed his belief that Iran would use any nuclear bomb it developed against Israel.
Dobrindt said that Germany would continue to do all it could to secure Israel's existence.
Markus Söder, Bavaria's state premier and head of the Christian Social Union (CSU), called for the acquisition of thousands of drones, new missile systems, and a German version of the "Iron Dome" consisting of 2,000 Patriot systems to protect against potential attacks.
"Germany needs a protective shield with precision weapons," Söder told newspaper, adding that this would include a modern drone army of 100,000 drones and a defense shield similar to Israel's "Iron Dome."
"We should cooperate with Ukraine and Israel and use their experience," CSU leader said.
In addition to drones, Söder called for 300 new battle tanks, 500 infantry fighting vehicles, 35 additional Eurofighter warplanes, and 1,000 more Taurus cruise missiles. He also called for the Bundeswehr to have its own satellites.
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, and welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany on Sunday, June 29.
The center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) concludes its party congress in Berlin.
On Friday, Lars Klingbeil was re-elected as co-leader of the party, receiving 65% support, a significant decrease from the 85.6% he garnered in 2023.
For all of the latest news from Germany, stay tuned here.
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