US President Donald Trump has once again accused NATO allies of failing to provide support in the Iran conflict, expressing frustration with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). "Friedrich, the German Chancellor, has said: 'That is not our war, we have nothing to do with it'," Trump stated on Friday at an economic forum in Miami. "Well, Ukraine is not our war, but we have helped them."
Trump was referring to US military aid for Ukraine in defending against the Russian war of aggression. However, the United States under Trump has scaled back its support for Kyiv, while Europeans have been expanding their assistance.
In Miami, Trump also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the Iran conflict, threatening consequences for European NATO partners who refuse to participate in military operations in the Strait of Hormuz. "They were simply not there," Trump said. "Why should we be there for them when they are not there for us?"
"We spend hundreds of billions of dollars annually on NATO, hundreds, to protect them, and we would always be there for them, but now, given their behavior, perhaps we don't have to be anymore, right?" Trump added. The US President described the NATO partners' actions as a "major mistake." A week earlier, the US President had labeled NATO partners as "cowards" for refusing to participate in military operations to secure shipping in the strategically important strait.
Meanwhile, Merz expressed criticism of the US military approach against Iran, describing it as a "massive escalation" with uncertain outcomes. "These are escalations that are already threatening not only for those affected, but for all of us," the Chancellor said on Friday at a "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" event. "Because what Trump is doing at the moment is not de-escalation and an attempt to achieve a peaceful solution, but a massive escalation with an open outcome."
In general, Merz assessed the chances of success for Israel and the US's warfare critically. "I am not convinced that what Israel and the USA are currently doing will lead to success," Merz stated at the "FAZ Congress 2026." Regarding Trump's criticism of Germany and other NATO states' restraint in the conflict, Merz said he had told Trump before the war began: "If you want us to help, please ask us beforehand." The US President had not done this.
Merz reaffirmed Germany's offer to support military security of the Strait of Hormuz after a ceasefire is concluded. However, this would require an international mandate and a decision by the Bundestag. Currently "we are far from that," Merz said.
The USA and Israel began the Iran conflict with air strikes on February 28. Tehran has since responded with rocket and drone attacks on Israel as well as several Gulf states and US facilities in the Gulf region. Iran has also largely blocked the Strait of Hormuz. This has led to a dramatic increase in oil prices, which is already having serious economic consequences worldwide.
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