German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday claimed that Iran's leadership is in the process of 'humiliating' the United States in the ongoing conflict, criticizing Washington for lacking a clear strategy.

Speaking during a school visit in Marsberg, Merz stated: 'The Iranians are clearly stronger than expected and the Americans clearly have no truly convincing strategy in the negotiations either.'

He drew parallels to past US-led conflicts, saying: '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. At the moment, I do not see what strategic exit the Americans will choose.'

Merz added that 'an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, particularly by the so-called Revolutionary Guards.'

The chancellor noted that the Middle East situation is having a strong negative economic effect on Germany: 'This conflict, this war against Iran, has a direct impact on our economic output.'

Germany maintains its offer to deploy minesweepers to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but only after hostilities cease, Merz said.

Source: www.dw.com