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Trump scolds Germany's Merz for criticism of Iran war
US president says German chancellor ‘doesn’t know what he’s talking about’, defends war on Iran as necessary.President Donald Trump has hit out at Germany’s Friedrich Merz over the chancellor’s criticism of the United States-Israeli war on Iran, stressing that the conflict was necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.Trump’s comment on Tuesday reflected his often-expressed frustration with European and NATO allies over their unwillingness to fully back the war or take part in it.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What’s in Iran’s latest proposal – and how has the US responded?list 2 of 3How Massie’s Kentucky primary may test Trump’s hold on the Republican Partylist 3 of 3Trump approval dips to record low amid Iran war, inflation woes: Pollend of list“The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage,” Trump wrote in a social media post.“I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago. No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!”Although Germany has been one of the most loyal allies of the US and Israel, Merz offered a blunt assessment of the war on Iran, calling the military campaign “ill-considered”.“The problem with conflicts like this is always you don’t just have to get in – you have to get out again. We saw that very painfully in Afghanistan for 20 years. We saw it in Iraq,” Merz said.The German leader also suggested that Washington is being “humiliated” by Tehran’s negotiating tactics as Iran refuses to send delegates to meet US officials before the blockade on its ports is lifted.Merz’s criticism represented a sharp departure from his hawkish pro-Israel policies. When the Israeli military started bombing Iran without provocation last year, the German chancellor said Israel “is doing the dirty work for all of us”.Germany has been one of the largest weapons suppliers to Israel.However, the current US-Israeli war on Iran has sent oil prices soaring at a time when Germany and other European countries are still reeling from the economic crises spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Since the start of the war, Trump has complained about European allies over their refusal to directly participate in the conflict or help reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force.When Merz vis...
Trump furiously fires back at Friedrich Merz over Iran war criticism ...
The US President has responded after America's plan during the Iran war came in for heavy criticism. 20:10, Tue, Apr 28, 2026 Updated: 20:21, Tue, Apr 28, 2026 Donald Trump furiously hit back at criticism from the German Chancellor (Image: Getty)Donald Trump has unleashed a furious attack against Friedrich Merz after the German Chancellor took a major swipe at the US plan in the Iran war.On Monday, Mr Merz claimed the US "obviously went into this war without any strategy". He said during a discussion with students at a high school in Marsberg in the Sauerland region: "Especially since the Iranians obviously negotiate very skillfully - or do not negotiate very skillfully. An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership." During the discussion, the Germany's Chancellor also said: "Because the Iranians are obviously stronger than previously thought, and the Americans clearly lack a truly convincing strategy in the negotiations." However, the criticism appears to have infuriated Mr Trump, who has responded in furious fashion in a post on Truth Social. Get the latest news from around the world and more Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy PolicyHe wrote: "The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!"If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage."I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago."No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise! President DONALD J. TRUMP."Tensions between Mr Trump and NATO have skyrocketed since the beginning for the Iran war exactly two monts ago.Friedrich Merz took a brutal swipe at the US on Monday (Image: Getty)Earlier this month, the US president even warned he was ready to reconsider America's membership of the alliance after the conflict.He said: "Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way."Mr Trump also rebuked Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to get involved in the US-Israeli war against Iran, and suggested the Royal Navy was not ready.He then added that he had set "very disappointing" NATO allies a deadline...
Trump hits back at German chancellor after Iran criticism
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war in Iran on Tuesday, a day after Merz said the Iranians were humiliating the United States in talks to end it.
Merz Iran US talks criticism | Germany's Merz says Iran humiliating ...
Germany's Merz says Iran 'humiliating' US, questions Trump strategy over stalled talks 'The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,' the German chancellor said during a talk to students in the town of Marsberg
