German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticizes US strategy on Iran

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently spoke at a conference organized by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, where he expressed concerns regarding the ongoing actions of the United States and Israel against Iran. Merz characterized the current US approach as a massive escalation rather than an effort toward peace, noting that the outcome remains highly uncertain and potentially dangerous for all parties. The Chancellor expressed skepticism that the US objective of regime change in Iran would succeed, stating that such attempts have historically yielded poor results. Regarding the security of the Strait of Hormuz, Merz recounted a recent 30-minute phone call with US President Donald Trump. He told the President that Germany finds it unacceptable to learn of requests for support via the press rather than through formal prior consultation. Merz noted that Trump acknowledged that this is not a NATO conflict and stated that the US does not require NATO involvement. However, the Chancellor indicated that Germany might consider deploying minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz after the hostilities have ended.