Large parts of Iran’s nuclear programme have been compromised following the US attacks overnight, a German government spokesman said on Sunday after a security meeting headed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU).

However, a precise damage assessment of the US airstrikes would only be possible at a later date, spokesman Stefan Kornelius said after the security Cabinet consultations.

Merz was to talk with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the morning on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, according to informed sources.

Kornelius also said Merz and the ministers of the security Cabinet would coordinate closely with their partners in the European Union and the United States on further steps throughout the day.

Merz reiterated his call on Iran to enter into immediate negotiations with the US and Israel and to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

The US intervened alongside Israel overnight in its war with Iran and attacked three nuclear facilities, including the fortified underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow.

-dpa