In a post on X, Merz said both US and Germany agreed that Iran must return to negotiations, the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened, and Tehran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday said he held a “great phone call” with US President Donald Trump following Trump’s return trip from China, during which the two leaders discussed Iran, Ukraine and Nato coordination.
In a post on X, Merz said both sides agreed that Iran must return to negotiations, the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened, and Tehran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
Gutes Telefonat mit @POTUS Donald Trump auf seiner Rückreise aus China. Wir sind uns einig: Iran muss jetzt an den Verhandlungstisch. Die Straße von Hormus muss geöffnet werden. Teheran darf keine Nuklearwaffen haben. (1/2)
— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) May 15, 2026STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
“We agree: Iran must now come to the negotiating table. The Strait of Hormuz must be opened. Tehran must not have nuclear weapons,” he wrote.
Merz also said the two leaders discussed prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine and coordinated positions ahead of an upcoming Nato summit in Ankara.
Wir haben auch über eine Friedenslösung für die Ukraine gesprochen und uns vor dem NATO-Gipfel in Ankara abgestimmt. Die USA und Deutschland sind starke Partner in einer starken NATO. (2/2)
— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) May 15, 2026
“We also discussed a peaceful solution for Ukraine and coordinated ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara. The USA and Germany are strong partners in a strong NATO,” he added.
The call came days after US President Donald Trump announced a troop withdrawal two weeks ago, days after Merz said Iran was “humiliating” Washington at the negotiating table.
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Trump had earlier launched sharp criticism of Merz, saying in a post on his Truth Social, “The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!), and fixing his broken Country, especially Immigration and Energy.”
He further added that Merz should spend “less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat, thereby making the World, including Germany, a safer place!”
Despite the earlier exchange of barbs, Merz’s statement on Friday suggested the two leaders had moved past the disagreement and were broadly aligned on Washington’s objectives in the US-Israel confrontation with Iran.
With inputs from agencies
First Published:
May 15, 2026, 20:47 IST
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