ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iran’s foreign ministry on Wednesday urged the European Union against taking steps reminiscent of “Nazi mindsets,” slamming German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s support for the US-Israeli military offensive and a regime change in Iran.

“Under pressure from the German Chancellor, some EU members risk being placed on the wrong side of history by appearing complicit in [US-Israeli] acts of aggression [and] war crimes against the Iranian [nation],” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a post on X.

“The Union must oppose any move reminiscent of historical Nazi mindsets,” he added.

The remarks came following a meeting between the German Chancellor and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday in the White House, where Merz expressed hope that the “Israeli and the American army are doing the right things to bring this to an end.”

“We are on the same page in terms of getting this terrible regime in Iran away,” Merz told reporters, urging for installing “a new government in place who is coming back to peace and freedom.”

The US and Israel on Saturday morning launched a large-scale military offensive across Iran. The strikes have killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as several other top officials.

“This is not the time to lecture our partners and allies,” Merz said in a Sunday speech at the national security council, responding to criticism describing the operation as unlawful and escalatory. “Categorizing the events under international law will have relatively little effect.”

“As the German government, we intend to take action where we can, together with our partners in the United States, Israel, the region, and Europe,” he added, arguing Europe’s condemnations of Iranian violations remained futile as they were not ready to enforce their interests “with military force if necessary.”

Baghaei on Tuesday warned European countries against joining the war against Iran, accusing them of wanting to “deprive Iran of its capability and capacity to fight back against the aggressors.”

The leaders of France, Germany, and the UK, in a joint statement on Saturday said they did not take part in the strikes targeting Iran, but are in “close contact” with the US and Israel, while condemning Iran’s attacks on regional neighbors.

Iran has responded to the US-Israeli strikes by launching ballistic missiles and drones toward US interests across the region, killing at least six US personnel, while also causing heavy material damage and additional casualties in the countries hosting the bases.