Merz reaffirms doubts on Iran war, says ties with Trump remain good

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sought to ease tensions with the United States on Wednesday, stating that his personal relationship with President Donald Trump remains “unchanged and good” despite recent public criticism and social media attacks from the US president. Asked about his increasingly critical stance on the Iran war, Merz told reporters in Berlin: “I have had doubts from the very beginning about what was initiated with the war in Iran, and that is why I have expressed this.” He emphasized that Germany and Europe are suffering considerable economic consequences from the prolonged US-Israeli conflict, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Economic fallout

Merz noted that the disruption of the strategic waterway has directly impacted Europe’s energy supplies and significantly cut into economic performance. “We in Germany and Europe are suffering considerably from the consequences, for example, of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. He urged that the conflict be resolved and confirmed that productive discussions with the US side continue. “So, to put it in Anglo-American terms, we are still on good speaking terms,” Merz added.