[45384] Diplomatic tension: Trump threatens to reduce US forces following an exchange with the German Chancellor

Tension in the Trans-Atlantic Alliance: Crossfire between Washington and Berlin

German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, caused a political storm after calling for increased pressure on Iran and an end to its activities in the region. During a visit to a military training center, Merz declared that Iran cannot "hold the world hostage" by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, and called for an end to Tehran's military nuclear program. Merz emphasized that blocking the strait directly harms the energy security and economy of Germany and Europe as a whole.

In a sharp response, US President Donald Trump chose to attack Merz's position via the "Truth Social" social network. According to reports, Trump called for the German Chancellor to "focus on ending the war in Ukraine" and his country's internal problems, instead of interfering in US actions against the Iranian threat. As a punitive measure, the President announced that the White House is considering the possibility of reducing the number of American troops stationed on German soil, a move expected to significantly impact the local economy in Germany.

Various sources, including DW Persian, note that about 39,000 American soldiers are stationed in Germany, and the bases serve as a significant source of employment and economic activity for regions such as Rhineland-Palatinate. While news agencies with a pro-government orientation in Iran, such as Fars News, describe the situation as a "German cave-in out of fear of Trump," Western media outlets emphasize the deep strategic disagreement regarding how to deal with Tehran.

Commentators note that despite the tense tone, Merz continues to declare the importance of the "Trans-Atlantic partnership" and the alliance with NATO, while the White House clarifies that a final decision on the scope of forces will be made in the near future.