The tension began Monday during Merz’s visit to a school in western Germany, where he offered a blunt assessment of stalled negotiations in Islamabad and the lack of a "strategic exit" from the US-Israeli war in Iran.

"The Iranians are obviously negotiating very skillfully — or very skillfully not negotiating — letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result," Merz said. "An entire nation is being humiliated there by the Iranian leadership, above all by these so-called Revolutionary Guards."

President Trump responded on Tuesday via Truth Social, claiming the German leader "thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon" and stating, "He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!" Trump also linked the comments to Germany's economic struggles, adding, "No wonder Germany is doing so poorly."

Addressing the fallout in Berlin, Merz sought to downplay the friction:

"From my point of view, the personal relationship between the American president and myself remains just as good as before," Merz said, adding that the two leaders are "still engaged in good talks with one another."

However, the Chancellor stood by his concerns regarding the severe economic impact of the conflict, which began in late February.

"We in Germany and in Europe are suffering considerably from the consequences," Merz warned. "The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has a direct impact on our energy supply [and] massive repercussions for our economic performance. And in that respect, I am pressing for this conflict to be resolved."

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