German Chancellor Merz criticizes US strategy in Iran conflict

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly criticized the United States' handling of the conflict with Iran, stating that Washington lacks a clear exit strategy. Speaking to students in Marsberg on Monday, Merz argued that the Iranian leadership and the Revolutionary Guards are skillfully avoiding negotiations, thereby humiliating the U.S. He compared the current situation to previous U.S. interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, noting the high economic cost for Germany and Europe. Merz claimed that European allies were not consulted prior to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. He further revealed that he has communicated his objections directly to President Donald Trump on two occasions. The Chancellor expressed concern that the conflict, which shows no signs of an early end, is straining transatlantic relations. These remarks emerge amid broader reports of cooling relations between Trump and various European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.