Germany’s Merz calls for plan for ’day after’ in Iran

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on U.S. and European partners to start planning for the future of Iran and the region in Berlin on March 1, stating that the people of Iran deserved a better future following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the targeted assassination that has thrown Iran's political landscape into uncertainty. Merz emphasized the importance of proactive international cooperation to ensure stability and democratic development in Iran during this transitional period. The German chancellor specifically urged Western allies to develop comprehensive strategies for Iran's post-leader era, focusing on human rights, economic development, and regional security. This call for planning reflects growing international concern over potential power vacuums and instability that could emerge in Iran following the leadership change.