- Title: Russia helping Iran identify strike targets, German minister says
- Date: 27th March 2026
- Summary: VAUX-DE-CERNAY, CERNAY-LA-VILLE, FRANCE (MARCH 27, 2026) (AGENCY POOL) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOHANN WADEPHUL ARRIVING FOR STATEMENT (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOHANN WADEPHUL, SAYING: "Putin cynically hopes that the escalation in the Middle East will divert our attention from his crimes in Ukraine. This strategy must not succeed. We can see very clearly
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: German foreign minister Iran war Johann Wadephul Putin Rubio Ukraine war
- Location: VAUX-DE-CERNAY, CERNAY-LA-VILLE, FRANCE
- City: VAUX-DE-CERNAY, CERNAY-LA-VILLE, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,G7,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA007796327032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Friday (March 27) accused Russia of helping Iran identify potential strike targets, saying President Vladimir Putin was hoping to use the Iran war as a distraction from his attack on Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at a G7 meeting in France, Wadephul also said he had spoken to U.S. Secretary of State Marcio Rubio to outline Germany's position, that it was willing to help play a role in the Strait of Hormuz after hostilities end.
"Putin cynically hopes that the escalation in the Middle East will divert our attention from his crimes in Ukraine," Wadephul said. "This calculation must not succeed. We see very clearly how closely the two conflicts are intertwined. Russia is evidently supporting Iran with information about potential targets."
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