The co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany on Tuesday criticised recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, warning of civilian casualties, economic fallout and potential refugee flows toward Europe.

AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla told broadcaster RTL he does not celebrate missile attacks, regardless of the country targeted or those responsible for ordering them.

“You cannot celebrate such attacks because civilians are always killed; you can only condemn them,” Mr Chrupalla said, underscoring the human toll of military escalation in the region.

He questioned whether the offensive would ultimately benefit Israel and argued that further escalation would not serve the political, security or economic interests of Germany and Europe.

The AfD, currently the largest opposition party in the Bundestag, had in recent years sought closer ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.

In spite of that alignment, Mr Chrupalla voiced sharp criticism of Mr Trump over the large-scale military operation launched by Washington and Israel against Tehran on Saturday.

“He started out as a peace president but will end up as a war president,” Mr Chrupalla said, questioning whether the strategy would prove politically or militarily successful.

He added that Mr Trump would have to justify the campaign to his voters, particularly if the attacks failed to achieve their objectives.

Mr Chrupalla also highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments vulnerable to regional instability.

Any disruption in the waterway could drive up petrol and gas prices, he warned, with direct consequences for Germany’s economy and consumers.

The AfD leader further cautioned that continued bombings could trigger renewed refugee movements toward Europe, increasing humanitarian and political pressure on Germany.

(dpa/NAN)