Security expert Hans-Jakob Schindler of the Counter Extremism Project emphasizes that Germany played a crucial role in the negotiations with Iran starting in 2003. Six different German foreign ministers held office until the official end of the JCPOA in 2025. "Certainly, Germany could have reacted differently at various points," says Schindler, "but then it would still have needed the approval of the other negotiating partners. Focusing this solely on Frank-Walter Steinmeier doesn't do justice to the complexity of the situation."

Iran has rejected claims by US President Donald Trump about talks between the two countries. "This could be the first sign of regime change," says Middle East expert Hans-Jakob Schindler.

“Tehran was aware that it could not prevail against the U.S. and Israel in a conventional conflict,” says Hans-Jakob Schindler of the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) to WELT. “That is why Iran is waging an asymmetric war, employing a mosaic defense strategy that is decentralized across Iran’s 31 provinces.”

Iran has rejected statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding talks between the two countries. “It could be the first sign of a regime collapse,” says Middle East expert [CEP Senior Director] Hans-Jakob Schindler.

For Hans-Jakob Schindler of the Counter Extremism Project, the situation is completely up in the air: “At the moment, many details are still unclear,” he says. According to the expert, it is “not professional to speculate” on whether these are genuine talks between the warring parties. Schindler considers three scenarios possible: Actual talks between Iran and the U.S. Indirect talks mediated by third-party countries in the region. Or: Simply a tactic by the U.S. administration to calm the markets and buy time.

At 27:24, CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler speaks about the current situation in Iran. 

For Hans-Jakob Schindler of the Counter Extremism Project, the situation is completely up in the air: “At the moment, many details are still unclear,” he says. According to the expert, it is “not professional to speculate” on whether these are genuine talks between the warring parties. Schindler considers three scenarios possible: Actual talks between Iran and the U.S. Indirect talks mediated by third-party countries in the region. Or: Simply a tactic by the U.S. administration to calm the markets and buy time.

With Diego Garcia lying nearly twice as far as Iran's assumed maximum missile range, DW spoke with experts Farzan Sabet and [CEP Senior Director] Hans‑Jakob Schindler to assess the real capabilities of Iran's missile program — and to examine how seriously governments and the public should take Tehran's warning that Israelis and Americans are now "unsafe worldwide."

Security and terrorism expert [CEP Senior Director] Hans-Jakob Schindler warns of the consequences of a war with Iran: While the regime may be militarily weakened, it remains dangerous. Should it survive, oppression and nuclear armament would simply start all over again.

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler discusses the situation in Iran.