Trump scolds Germany’s Merz for criticism of Iran war

US president says German chancellor ‘doesn’t know what he’s talking about’, defends war on Iran as necessary.President Donald Trump has hit out at Germany’s Friedrich Merz over the chancellor’s criticism of the United States-Israeli war on Iran, stressing that the conflict was necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.Trump’s comment on Tuesday reflected his often-expressed frustration with European and NATO allies over their unwillingness to fully back the war or take part in it.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What’s in Iran’s latest proposal – and how has the US responded?list 2 of 3How Massie’s Kentucky primary may test Trump’s hold on the Republican Partylist 3 of 3Trump approval dips to record low amid Iran war, inflation woes: Pollend of list“The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage,” Trump wrote in a social media post.“I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago. No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!”Although Germany has been one of the most loyal allies of the US and Israel, Merz offered a blunt assessment of the war on Iran, calling the military campaign “ill-considered”.“The problem with conflicts like this is always you don’t just have to get in – you have to get out again. We saw that very painfully in Afghanistan for 20 years. We saw it in Iraq,” Merz said.The German leader also suggested that Washington is being “humiliated” by Tehran’s negotiating tactics as Iran refuses to send delegates to meet US officials before the blockade on its ports is lifted.Merz’s criticism represented a sharp departure from his hawkish pro-Israel policies. When the Israeli military started bombing Iran without provocation last year, the German chancellor said Israel “is doing the dirty work for all of us”.