German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday welcomed what he said were signals by US President Donald Trump that combat action in Iran could come to an end, which could allow Europe to contribute to securing peace in the Middle East.“I am expressly grateful that the US president sent a signal in this regard last night that he is prepared to bring the fighting to an end,” he told reporters ahead of an EU summit in Brussels.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Trump said late on Wednesday that Israel had “violently lashed out” and attacked Iran’s major gas field, a significant escalation in the US-Israeli war, but he added that Israel would not make further such attacks unless Iran retaliated.Merz reiterated that Europe is ready to help stabilize the Middle East once combat action has stopped.Read more:Trump says Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars gas field without US knowledge