Frankfurt – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. He accused Trump of dangerously escalating the conflict with Iran. Merz stated that Trump’s policies are not a genuine attempt to stop the conflict. Instead, they constitute a widespread escalation. This will only lead to unclear outcomes. Merz clarified this during a speech at a conference.
The German newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” organized the event. He said Trump’s current actions are not de-escalation. Nor are they a pursuit of peaceful settlement. “They are a comprehensive escalation,” he added. “This will deepen the crisis and lead to unforeseen consequences.”
The German Chancellor expressed doubt about radical change in Iran’s leadership. He questioned, “Is the goal truly regime change?” “If that is the objective, I do not believe it is achievable.” “Past experiences show this approach often ends in failure.” Relations between the United States and Germany have seen increasing tension recently. Trump previously criticized Germany’s stance. This concerned securing the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a vital passage for oil trade. This criticism exacerbated tensions between the two countries.