Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited German Chancellor Angel Merkel to Russia this coming weekend to discuss the rising tensions in the Middle East, following the death of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike.

The Kremlin has confirmed the meeting was set to take place on Saturday, but did not state where it would take place. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will also attend.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Russia is "indispensable" when it comes to solving political conflicts, said German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert on Monday.

Germany and Russia are two of the world powers which have been trying to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018.

In addition to the Middle East crisis, the conflicts in Syria and Libya, where Turkey has just begun deploying troops, will also be on the agenda. Russia said it will support Germany's peace initiative in the region.

It is thought both leaders will also want to discuss the Ukraine situation, ongoing since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Watch video 02:29 Share Iran pushes back Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3VkDi Iran suspends 2015 nuclear deal commitments

Ignoring nuclear deal 'cannot be shrugged off'

With Iran announcing that it will no longer abide by the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal, Germany's Maas also urged on Monday for the European Union's foreign ministers to convene for a meeting in the next few days.

Tehran's move to ignore limitations on enriching uranium "cannot be simply shrugged off," Maas told public radio Deutschlandfunk.

That decision violates the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, the JCPOA, which Iran, Germany, Russia, France, the UK, China and the European Union are still signed on to.

Iran's decision "could be the first step toward the end of this agreement, which would be a great loss," Maas said.

A special meeting with EU foreign ministers is reportedly set to take place on Friday, sources told news agency AFP.

German offers to mediate

Under the deal, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear ambitions in exchange for economic incentives — but the accord was already damaged by Trump's withdrawal and subsequent re-imposition of sanctions.

Tensions in the Middle East have skyrocketed following the killing of Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad on Friday. Germany has offered to mediate between all parties, but drew diplomatic ire from Tehran after German officials suggested the Iranian general's death may have been justified.

Iran: Qassem Soleimani funeral — in pictures Coffin passed through the crowd The coffin of slain general Qassem Soleimani was passed among the crowd in Tehran, allowing them a chance to touch the sarcophagus. The remains of the general, killed by US airstrikes in Baghdad, were flown back to Tehran on Monday. Crowds chanted "Death to America!" and "Revenge! Revenge!"

Iran: Qassem Soleimani funeral — in pictures Ayatollah weeps Supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei burst into tears while he led a prayer over the coffin of the general. Khameini called for "severe revenge" on the US. Soleimani's replacement as Quds leader, Esmail Qaani, right, also showed emotion on the same day as he called for a complete withdrawal of US troops from the region.

Iran: Qassem Soleimani funeral — in pictures Biggest funeral since 1989 While Iranian state TV placed the number of mourners at over one million, outside estimates believe that the number was actually less. Nevertheless, this is largest funeral Iran has seen since that of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989.

Iran: Qassem Soleimani funeral — in pictures A popular leader Soleimani was a popular military leader whose death has been met by open grief by many within the Iranian military. An unnamed Quds general lay and wept over his coffin. Soleimani spearheaded military operations in the area.

Iran: Qassem Soleimani funeral — in pictures Soleimani's daughter: a 'dark day' for the US The general's daughter, Zeinab Soleimani, spoke during the funeral procession, calling for the US to remove all troops from Iran. She said a "dark day" was to come for the US. "Crazy Trump, don't think that everything is over with my father's martyrdom," she said.

Iran: Qassem Soleimani funeral — in pictures 'We're all Soleimani' Soleimani was a national hero to many Iranians, even those who did not consider themselves devoted followers of Iran's clerical rulers. Soleimani's death has united Iranian people across the religious and political spectrum.

Iran: Qassem Soleimani funeral — in pictures A military 'hero' Crowds with Iranian flags gather in front of a large image of Soleimani being awarded the Order of Zolfaghar, the highest military honor in Iran. Soleimani has been heralded as a military "hero." Streets were brought to a standstill because of the number of mourners. Author: Elliot Douglas



rs, kmm/cmk (dpa, Reuters, AFP, AP)

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