German Leaders and Spy Chiefs Disagree on Iran Threat Level

Germany's national leaders and its intelligence agencies disagree on how strongly to warn the public about the growing risk of attacks sponsored by Iran. This disagreement has emerged since the start of the war involving Iran.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt have acknowledged that Iran poses threats linked to the war. However, they have publicly stated these threats are mostly hypothetical and not severe.

Intelligence chiefs, especially those in regional governments, believe the dangers are more real and urgent than leaders admit. This difference in opinion has caused tension between national and state officials, according to five senior German officials.

The disagreement highlights how the war has created security worries in Europe and complicated German politics. These issues are made worse by other war-related problems like higher energy costs and slower economic growth.

European leaders were not consulted before the war began and have little control over when it ends. Germany has strongly supported the U.S. actions in the Middle East. This includes allowing the use of military bases on German land, which makes Germany an enemy in the eyes of Iranian leaders.

Germans and their neighbors now worry they could be targets for bombings or other indirect attacks. Such attacks could be carried out by groups recruited by Iran, according to seven officials who spoke to The New York Times.