Dispute over Iran war, Merz eases tensions: My relationship with Trump remains good

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said his relationship with US President Donald Trump remained good despite a disagreement between the two over the war in Iran, but he reiterated his concerns about the economic impact of the conflict.

The clash reflects differing views between the Trump administration and its European NATO allies on Iran and other issues, including the conflict in Ukraine.

"From my perspective, my personal relationship with the US President remains good. I just had doubts from the beginning about what started with the war in Iran. That's why I've made that clear," Merz told reporters.

"In Germany and Europe we are suffering from the consequences, such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This has a direct impact on our energy supply and a major impact on our economic performance," Merz said, adding that Washington and Berlin were talking to each other.

On Tuesday, Trump criticized Merz for his stance, saying in a social media post that the German chancellor thought it was "okay" for Iran to have a nuclear weapon and that he didn't know what he was talking about.

Merz has said that Iran should not have nuclear weapons.

Trump's comments followed a rebuke of Washington by Merz on Monday, when he said Iran's leadership was "humiliating" the United States by forcing American officials to travel to Pakistan for peace talks and leaving them without results.

Merz also said he did not see what exit strategy the US was pursuing.

Trump has sharply criticized NATO allies for not sending their forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained virtually closed since early March, causing market turmoil and unprecedented disruptions in energy supplies.

Despite a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran, the conflict is at a standstill as both sides seek a formal end to the fighting.

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