Merz hopes US, Israeli attacks permanently end Iran's nuclear goals

BERLIN, June 24 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that he hoped Israel and the United States' actions in Iran will permanently dissuade Tehran from pursuing its goals for nuclear weapons.

"Not only Israel, but also Europe and the world as a whole are threatened by this Iranian nuclear programme," Merz told lawmakers in the Bundestag lower house of parliament.

Speaking ahead of a NATO summit in The Hague this week, Merz warned that the conflict with Iran must not be allowed to plunge the region into war and Berlin was taking all possible diplomatic efforts to that end.