US ‘being humiliated’ by Iran: German Chancellor

Darwin, 28 April : German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that the United States is “being humiliated” in its ongoing conflict with Iran and currently has no clear strategy to exit the situation. According to him, Tehran is in a comparatively advantageous position.

He made these remarks on Monday (April 27) while speaking with students in Marburg, Germany.

Merz said that Germany and other European allies were not consulted before the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. He added that he later directly conveyed his concerns to former US President Donald Trump.

He further stated that if he had known the conflict would last five to six weeks and deteriorate further, he would have voiced stronger opposition, drawing comparisons with previous US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “It is more important to get out of such conflicts than to get into them,” he said, referring to the painful experiences in those wars.

Commenting on Iranian officials, Merz said they are negotiating very skillfully and have emerged stronger than expected. He noted that Iran’s leadership, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has put the United States in a strategically uncomfortable position.

He also warned that the ongoing conflict is negatively impacting Germany’s economy, causing significant losses in terms of taxpayer money and economic strength.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has criticized NATO allies for not sending naval assistance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions have caused instability in global markets and energy supplies.

Separately, Iran’s new proposal has failed to impress Trump. Reuters reported later on Monday, citing a US official, that Trump was dissatisfied with the proposal because it suggested setting aside nuclear issues until disputes over the war and maritime navigation were resolved.

However, Pakistani mediators say efforts to bridge the gap between the two sides are still ongoing.

The ongoing conflict continues to create uncertainty in global politics, with no clear diplomatic resolution in sight.

Source: Al Jazeera