President Trump pushed back against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following his criticism over the ongoing conflict in Iran. In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump blasted Merz for his comments and stressed the importance of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” President Trump said. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”
The president’s statement follows comments made by Chancellor Merz on Monday. While speaking to students in Marsberg, Germany, Merz said the U.S. was being “humiliated” by the Iranian leadership for making trips to Islamabad, Pakistan, to negotiate without reaching a deal. “An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards,” Merz said. “And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible.”
Vice President J.D. Vance has led previous efforts to negotiate a peace deal, with Pakistan acting as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran. Further negotiations were planned over the weekend but were ultimately canceled, with President Trump citing concerns over confusion within the current leadership structure in Iran. In lieu of an in-person meeting, President Trump has extended a ceasefire to allow the Iranian government time to present a unified peace proposal.
The president highlighted the historic significance of the military action and stressed the potential global threat that could exist if Iran were allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Trump also pointed out that his administration had been the first to take decisive action following tensions that have existed between the U.S. and Iran for decades.
“If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage,” President Trump said. “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!”