The DAX 40 edged down 0.3% to around 24,900 on Thursday, extending losses from the prior day, as traders parsed the latest batch of earnings reports and corporate updates, against the backdrop of persistent Middle East tensions.
Rumors that US President Donald Trump is considering expanding military operations against Iran after a series of briefings with his closest aides are causing concern.
Meanwhile, technology shares continued to struggle, with chipmaker Infineon Technologies (-1.8%) and AI infrastructure-linked Siemens Energy (-1.3%) among the biggest decliners.
Outside the main index, German food delivery group Delivery Hero dropped about 1% after a €12.7 billion takeover deal with giant Uber.