Trump rebukes Merz over Iran war comments

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, publicly criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after Merz questioned the United States-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Trump said the military action was required to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He repeated that argument in a social media post, writing: "If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage." Merz calls the war “ill-considered” Merz described the war on Iran as “ill-considered,” and compared it to earlier conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. His remarks placed Germany among the European voices expressing concern about the direction of the conflict.

Merz also argued that Iran’s approach to negotiations was humiliating Washington. He said Iran was refusing to meet U.S. officials before a blockade on its ports is lifted.

Strains with European allies and NATO partners

The exchange underscored continuing friction between the United States and some European allies over the conflict. Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration with European and NATO partners for what he sees as an unwillingness to fully support or take part in the war.

Merz’s criticism was described as a change from Germany’s historical alignment with U.S. and Israeli policies. The shift is notable in the context of Germany’s position as a major weapons supplier to Israel.

Oil prices and pressure on European economies

The conflict has been linked to higher oil prices, adding to economic pressure in Europe. European economies are already dealing with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the source material.

While the dispute with Merz was public and direct, Trump’s recent messaging toward European leaders has not been uniform. The source material notes that Trump praised Germany and its leader during a White House meeting last month.

Recent contrasts in Trump’s approach to allies

That earlier praise stood in contrast to Trump’s stance toward Spain, where he threatened to cut trade over Madrid’s opposition to the war. The differing approaches highlighted how the conflict is testing political relationships among U.S. partners.

It remains unclear how Merz’s comments will affect Germany’s posture going forward, including its role in supporting Israel, as the conflict and diplomatic disputes continue.