President Trump has delivered a pointed warning about nuclear weapons in response to remarks from Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Iran has been “humiliating” the US amid the ongoing war.
Speaking on Monday (April 27), Merz argued that Tehran had left Washington looking foolish by drawing US diplomats to Pakistan for what he described as fruitless peace discussions connected to the conflict.
Addressing students in Marsberg, the German leader said Iran had shown itself to be adept at running down negotiations rather than concluding them, claiming the Americans were sent to Islamabad only to depart without progress.
Referencing his White House meeting with Trump in March, Merz went further, saying: “An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible.”
Trump responded quickly to Merz’s comments, issuing a statement on his Truth Social account.
The president wrote: “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.”
He continued: “I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other nations, or presidents, should have done long ago. No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both economically, and otherwise! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The exchange follows a reported leak of a Pentagon email that allegedly considers steps to pressure NATO partners after tensions tied to the Iran war, according to Reuters.
A US official told the news agency that the Trump administration feels it has not received adequate backing from various countries when it comes to support for US operations.
The alleged email also reportedly mentions the possibility of suspending Spain from the alliance and taking another look at America’s stance regarding the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
Despite that, recent diplomacy appears to have eased strain between Washington and London, after concerns that the “special relationship” had come under pressure.
King Charles and Queen Camilla travelled to the US earlier this week to meet Trump at the White House, as the King also delivered an address to Congress.
“Time and time again,” he said in his speech, “Our two countries have always found ways to come together.”
The trip is described as the first official visit of its kind since Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 2007.