US President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the latter's criticism of the US-Israeli war on Iran, insisting the conflict was necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“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 on social media.
Trump added that he is “doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago.” He also claimed that “No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!”
Despite Germany being one of the most loyal allies of the US and Israel, Merz offered a blunt assessment of the military campaign, calling it “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 marks a sharp departure from his previously hawkish pro-Israel stance. When Israel began bombing Iran last year, Merz 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, hitting Germany and other European countries still reeling from economic crises. Trump has repeatedly complained about European allies refusing to directly participate in the conflict or help reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force.
During Merz’s visit to the White House last month, Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain over its anti-war stance, while Merz remained silent. Trump later praised Germany as “a respected country.” Notably, Trump’s own intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, told Congress last year that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.
Source: www.aljazeera.com