Trump tells Merz to ‘fix his broken country’ in new attack on German chancellor

Former US President Donald Trump has criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, urging him to focus on domestic issues like immigration and energy, and to end the Russia-Ukraine war, rather than "interfering" with Iran. Trump's remarks followed Merz's comments suggesting the US was being "humiliated" by Iran and lacked an exit strategy for the Ukraine conflict. This exchange occurs amidst Trump's renewed suggestion of reviewing US military presence in Germany. German officials are downplaying the troop withdrawal threat, noting similar statements from past US presidents, and emphasizing a calm, thorough assessment of any potential force shifts within NATO.

Russia's political support for Iran and its stance against military escalation are more significant than military aid in the current conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. This position, solidified by a 2025 treaty, prioritizes peace over short-term gains like rising oil prices, which Russia recognizes as insufficient for economic restructuring amid Western sanctions. Moscow's strategic focus is on conflict resolution and mitigating negative consequences such as humanitarian crises, global economic slowdowns, and financial instability. Iran views Russia's stance as beneficial, having successfully withstood attacks and secured a favorable diplomatic position with limited international support for the US and Israel. European allies have shown reluctance to engage militarily, perceiving little benefit in the conflict.

King Charles III began a four-day visit to the United States on

Following a meeting with NATO's Mark Rutte, Donald Trump criticized the alliance for its lack of support regarding Iran, referencing a recent US-Iran ceasefire. Trump stated NATO "wasn't there" when the US needed them, echoing White House concerns that member states have not adequately supported American defense efforts. The US president also appeared to revive his previous interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark, a NATO member. Rutte acknowledged Trump's disappointment with some NATO allies but indicated he had pushed back against some of the broader criticisms during their discussions. The meeting occurred after the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that it is in the best interest of the United States to remain in NATO. Speaking in Qatar at the end of a Gulf trip that included stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, Starmer addressed Donald Trump's threats to withdraw the US from the alliance. Starmer agreed with Trump's call for increased European defense spending within NATO, emphasizing the alliance's effectiveness and the need for a stronger European contribution. Starmer also discussed with Gulf leaders the importance of ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz following recent tensions with Iran, and the need to avoid potential levies on ships passing through. Starmer and Trump spoke on Thursday night about ensuring ships could safely pass through the strait of Hormuz.

Following a meeting at the White House, President Trump criticized NATO for allegedly failing to support the U.S. during the Iran war. In a Truth Social post, Trump questioned NATO's reliability. The meeting with Secretary General Mark Rutte aimed to persuade Trump to remain in the alliance amidst his threats to withdraw. Trump believes NATO members didn't adequately assist the U.S. during Operation Epic Fury. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Trump feels NATO "failed" when "tested." Rutte defended NATO's support, citing European nations' assistance with basing, logistics, and overflights. He also credited Trump's leadership for degrading Iran's nuclear capabilities and stated NATO members do not see the war in Iran as illegal.

The Trump administration is signaling a potential withdrawal from NATO following disagreements over the US and Israel's war on Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that NATO "failed" the US by not contributing military forces beyond defensive measures. This comes after President Trump reportedly discussed withdrawing from the transatlantic alliance. Leavitt indicated Trump would have a "frank" discussion with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who confirmed the meeting was "frank and open" and acknowledged Trump's disappointment, though he noted NATO allies offered support through logistics and base access. Despite Rutte's support for Trump, the possibility of reduced US support for NATO is being considered.

Following a US-Israel war on Iran, Gulf states are reassessing their security strategies due to an emboldened Iran and battered economies. Gulf nations aim to diversify security partnerships, potentially including countries like Turkey and Pakistan, moving away from sole reliance on the US. A key point of contention remains Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade route, which will be a focus in upcoming US-Iran talks. Despite successfully intercepting many Iranian missiles during the conflict, Gulf states are divided on future relations with Iran, ranging from hawkish stances to hopes for renewed ties. Saudi Arabia and Iran have initiated contact to de-escalate tensions, highlighting the need to insulate the region from perpetual conflict and rebuild economic foundations.

Donald Trump's criticism of NATO's financial contributions and support for the US military campaign against Iran is raising concerns about the alliance's future. Trump has accused allies of "free-riding" on US security, intensifying his rhetoric in recent weeks. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged that some allies were slow in providing logistical support to the US in Iran, while emphasizing that allies are fulfilling US requests. Rutte stated that Europe is taking on a greater role in its conventional defense. A Chinese observer suggests a US-Israel war on Iran could push NATO towards becoming a "nominal" alliance, although its disbandment is unlikely.

On Sunday, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait experienced damage to critical infrastructure following attacks from Iran. The attacks, which targeted civilian facilities, are reportedly a response to US and Israeli strikes that began in late February. Iran accuses these Gulf nations of allowing the US to launch attacks from their territory, a claim the Gulf states deny. In Abu Dhabi, fires broke out at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais Industrial City, prompting a suspension of operations and damage assessment. The UAE defense ministry reported responding to missile and drone attacks, with authorities citing debris from interceptions as the cause of the fires. No injuries have been reported.

On April 5, 2026, Kuwait reported that Iranian drone attacks damaged two power and water desalination plants, causing outages and material damage. Fires also broke out at oil facilities and a government office complex, resulting in significant material losses for the Kuwait Petroleum Corp. Bahrain and the UAE also experienced Iranian attacks that resulted in fires. These attacks are reportedly in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran since February 28. The attacks on Kuwait's infrastructure are considered devastating due to the country's reliance on desalination for drinking water. There are concerns that further escalation between the US, Israel, and Iran could lead to more attacks on Gulf state facilities.