German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said Iran’s leadership appears to be “humiliating” the United States in the ongoing conflict, warning that Washington lacks a clear strategy and a viable exit plan

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that his department has ordered the withdrawal of around 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year, as President Donald Trump engages in a
public spat with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war.

“We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.

“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground,” Parnell added.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADWhat did Merz say?

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said Iran’s leadership appears to be 
“humiliating” the United States in the ongoing conflict, warning that Washington lacks a clear strategy and a viable exit plan.

Speaking to students in the town of Marsberg, Merz said the situation reflects deeper strategic issues for the US, drawing parallels with past military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq. He noted that conflicts are not only about entering but also about finding a way out, something he said has proven difficult for Washington in the past.

Merz observed that Iran has emerged stronger than expected and is negotiating “very skilfully”, while the US has yet to present a convincing approach. He added that the Iranian leadership, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, appears to be gaining the upper hand.

What has Trump said?

Meanwhile, replying to Merz, Trump said the German leader, saying he 
“doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Merz of taking a misguided stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and defended his own approach to the issue.

“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. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago,” the president wrote.

Trump threatens to pull troops from Italy, Spain

Trump now appears determined to punish allies who have failed to back the war or contribute to a peacekeeping force in the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway, which Tehran’s forces have effectively closed.

On Thursday, Trump said he may pull US troops from Italy and Spain due to their opposition to the war, telling reporters in the Oval Office: “Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”

“Yeah, probably, I probably will. Why shouldn’t I?” Trump said.

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With inputs from agencies

First Published:
May 02, 2026, 08:35 IST

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