Germany backs negotiated US-Iran deal on nuclear, missile programmes

Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul remains committed to a negotiated solution between the United States and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear and missile programmes.

In addition to the nuclear programme, the Iranian ballistic missile development programme is also an issue, he said on Wednesday.

Wadephul was speaking on the fringes of a meeting with colleagues from the Central Asian states of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in Berlin.

He said Iran's missile programme threatens not only Israel, but also Europe.

It is therefore "also in our interest that these issues are addressed and resolved through negotiations," he said.

Later on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump is set to receive Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington against the backdrop of the US negotiations with Iran.

Israel sees Iran's nuclear and missile programmes as its greatest existential threat. Netanyahu is urging the US to take a hard line in the ongoing talks with Iran.