Merz says he will keep working with Trump after public dispute over Iran

Friedrich Merz said he would continue working on the transatlantic relationship and with Donald Trump despite their dispute over the war in Iran.
The dispute followed Merz's criticism of Washington's approach to Iran, including remarks that the United States lacked a strategy and was being humiliated in negotiations, after which Trump publicly rebuked him.
Merz said the announced U.S. reduction of about 5,000 troops in Germany was not connected to his disagreement with Trump over Iran.
Merz described the troop reduction as not new or surprising, saying it should not be interpreted as retaliation.
Merz said the United States remains Germany's most important partner in NATO and that both countries share the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The issue has broader security implications because Germany hosts the largest U.S. military presence in Europe, making any troop reduction consequential for NATO and European defense planning.
Merz also said he currently does not expect the United States to deliver Tomahawk intermediate-range missiles previously promised to Germany, citing limited U.S. availability, while adding that the matter is not closed.

Friedrich Merz said he would continue working on the transatlantic relationship and with Donald Trump despite their dispute over the war in Iran.
The dispute followed Merz's criticism of Washington's approach to Iran, including remarks that the United States lacked a strategy and was being humiliated in negotiations, after which Trump publicly rebuked him.
Merz said the announced U.S. reduction of about 5,000 troops in Germany was not connected to his disagreement with Trump over Iran.
Merz described the troop reduction as not new or surprising, saying it should not be interpreted as retaliation.
Merz said the United States remains Germany's most important partner in NATO and that both countries share the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The issue has broader security implications because Germany hosts the largest U.S. military presence in Europe, making any troop reduction consequential for NATO and European defense planning.
Merz also said he currently does not expect the United States to deliver Tomahawk intermediate-range missiles previously promised to Germany, citing limited U.S. availability, while adding that the matter is not closed.