Middle East crisis: Diplomacy under extreme conditions

In the middle of his first trip to the Middle East, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was surprised by Israel's war against Iran - but remains in the region as Europe's foreign policy voice.

The convoy has barely come to a stop when Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) is already briskly striding toward the Omani Foreign Ministry. In front of the imposing building, the flags of both countries flutter in the warm breeze, birds chirp through the open hall. Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is already waiting for him inside. Without much ceremony, he leads his German counterpart to a large globe and asks him to show him his homeland. A quiet reception, staged in a region teetering on the brink of conflagration.