Trump Criticizes German Chancellor Merz Over Iran Nuclear Stance, Warns of Global Hostage Scenario

Gate News message, April 28 — US President Donald Trump fired back at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on social media, accusing him of ignorance regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities. Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated that if Iran possessed a nuclear weapon, "the whole World would be held hostage," and claimed he is pursuing measures with Iran that other nations should have undertaken long ago.

Merz had criticized Iran's approach to nuclear negotiations on Monday, saying the country was "obviously very skilled at not negotiating" after US envoys traveled to Pakistan for talks that yielded no results. The German Chancellor also expressed concern that "an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership," particularly by the Revolutionary Guards. Merz and Trump had previously met at the White House in March.

Merz has permitted the US to use the Ramstein air base for coordinating military operations against Iran but expressed skepticism about Trump's ability to resolve the conflict, stating he would have advised Trump "even more emphatically" had he known the situation would persist and worsen over five to six weeks.