Germany’s Merz: Iran must stop holding the world hostage, return to talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Iran on Thursday to return to constructive negotiations with the US to end the over eight-week conflict, warning that Tehran's tactics are inflicting severe economic damage worldwide.

“Iran must come to the negotiating table. It must stop playing for time,” Merz said in a statement during a visit to a military training base in Munster. “Iran must stop playing for time. It can no longer hold the entire region, and ultimately the entire world, hostage.”

The chancellor warned that Iran’s disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is causing widespread economic damage and renewed calls for European partners to increase sanctions pressure on Tehran to help end the blockade.

Merz did not repeat his earlier criticism of the Trump administration over the Iran war, but said Berlin has been in close dialogue with partners, including Washington, to help end the conflict through diplomatic negotiations.

*We are acting in the shared transatlantic interest, and we are doing so with mutual respect,” he said, adding that his government remains committed to a strong NATO and a reliable transatlantic partnership. “As you know, this transatlantic partnership is especially important to us, and to me personally,” he said.

The remarks followed a public rebuke from US President Donald Trump, who dismissed Merz’s prior comments, saying the chancellor “doesn’t know what he he’s talking about.” Trump also announced on Wednesday that his administration would review a potential drawdown of US troops in Germany.

On Monday, Merz had criticized the US for lacking an “exit strategy” in the Iran war, saying Americans were being “humiliated” by the Iranian regime in talks.

He doubted a quick resolution, noting that “the Iranians are obviously stronger than expected, and the Americans clearly don’t have a truly convincing strategy in the negotiations either.”