WASHINGTON D.C April 28, 2026 – President Donald J. Trump sharply criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday, accusing him of believing it is “OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon” and warning that such a development would hold “the whole World” hostage.
In a post shared by the White House Rapid Response account (@RapidResponse47), Trump stated: “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. 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!”
The statement comes amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and indirect negotiations to end the conflict that began earlier this year. Trump linked Merz’s alleged position to Germany’s economic challenges.However, public statements from Merz and German officials indicate the Chancellor has repeatedly opposed Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. In recent remarks, Merz urged Iran to “halt its military nuclear activities” and “truly enter negotiations” with the United States. He has emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program “must stop” and that Tehran “must not acquire nuclear weapons.”
Merz’s most recent comments, made during a school visit in Marsberg on Monday, focused instead on criticizing the U.S. negotiating approach. He described Iran as negotiating “very skillfully — or rather, very skillfully not negotiating,” and said the Iranian leadership was “humiliating” the United States by forcing American envoys to travel to Islamabad without results. Merz added that the U.S. appeared to lack a “truly convincing strategy” or clear “exit” from the conflict.
The German leader has also called the broader U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran a “completely unnecessary war” that is harming European economies through disrupted energy markets and higher costs.
Trump’s post was accompanied by a screenshot of his original Truth Social message and quickly drew reactions online, with supporters praising his firm stance and critics accusing him of misrepresenting Merz’s words.
The exchange highlights ongoing transatlantic friction over the Iran conflict, even as European leaders, including Merz, have expressed support for preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons while pushing for diplomacy to end the fighting.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments in U.S.-Iran negotiations and European responses.
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