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The US Department of Defense is planning to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, a move that comes amid rising tensions between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war with Iran.

The decision follows Trump’s criticism of Merz, who had suggested the US was “humiliated” in negotiations with Iran.

The United States maintains a substantial military presence in Germany, with more than 36,000 active-duty personnel stationed across the country as of last December.

Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the presence of US forces in Europe—especially in Germany—serves the interests of both nations. However, he added that the withdrawal did not come as a surprise, noting it had been foreseeable that the US might scale back its troop levels in Europe.

In social media posts, Trump sharply criticised Merz, calling his leadership ineffective and pointing to issues such as immigration and energy policy. He has also floated the idea of reducing US troop deployments in Italy and Spain.

A Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnell, said the order to withdraw troops from Germany was issued by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“This decision follows a comprehensive review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and reflects current operational needs and conditions on the ground,” he said.

“We anticipate the withdrawal will be completed within the next six to twelve months.”

Trump, who has long been critical of the NATO alliance, has recently criticised allies for declining to take part in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

When asked on Thursday whether he might also withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain, Trump replied: “I probably will — why shouldn’t I?”

“Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been terrible,” he added, faulting both countries over their response to the conflict with Iran.

“In every case, they said, ‘I don’t want to get involved.’”

Earlier this week, Merz told university students that “the Americans clearly have no strategy” and said he could not identify any clear strategic exit plan.

“The Iranians are clearly highly adept at negotiations — or more precisely, at avoiding them — allowing the Americans to travel to Islamabad and return without any outcome,” he said.

He added that the Iranian leadership was “humiliating” the entire nation.

In response, Trump posted on Truth Social, claiming that Merz believed it was “acceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon” and saying he “doesn’t know what he’s talking about”.

“No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both economically and otherwise!” the post added.

The BBC has reached out to the German embassy in Washington for comment.

The US maintains its largest European military presence in Germany, compared with roughly 12,000 troops in Italy and about 10,000 in the UK.

Many of these forces are based at Ramstein Air Base near the south-western city of Kaiserslautern.

Trump has previously suggested reducing US troop levels in Germany, though such plans have not yet been implemented.

Only Japan hosts a larger US troop presence than Germany.

In 2020, a plan to relocate 12,000 US troops from Germany to other NATO countries or back to the United States was blocked by Congress and later reversed by President Joe Biden.

At the time, Trump had criticised Germany as “delinquent” for failing to meet NATO’s defence spending target of 2% of GDP.

However, this has shifted significantly under the Merz government.

Germany is projected to spend €105.8bn (£91bn) on defence in 2027, with total military expenditure expected to reach 3.1% of GDP next year.

Last year, the US moved to reduce its troop presence in Romania as part of Trump’s broader strategy to pivot military focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Britain’s King Charles shares the view that Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons, bringing the sensitive issue of the Middle East conflict into remarks made during a White House state dinner held in the monarch’s honour.

The dinner took place on the second day of Charles’s four-day visit to the United States, amid strained relations between Washington and London. Trump has recently criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of not offering sufficient support regarding the conflict with Iran.

“We’re engaged in some work in the Middle East right now, and it’s going very well,” Trump said during the event.

He added that the United States had “militarily defeated” its opponent and insisted it would never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, claiming that King Charles strongly agreed with that position.

In his own remarks after Trump, King Charles did not address Iran or the ongoing conflict. As monarch, he does not speak on behalf of the British government.

When asked about Trump’s comments, the British Embassy in Washington directed inquiries to Buckingham Palace, which did not immediately respond.

Earlier in a speech to Congress, Charles avoided direct reference to the Iran conflict but touched on broader geopolitical themes, including NATO, continued US support for Ukraine, and the risks of isolationism.

Both the United States and the United Kingdom have long maintained that Iran should not develop nuclear weapons.

Tehran denies seeking such weapons, stating that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, including uranium enrichment, under its rights as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iran ‘figuring out its leadership’

Efforts to resolve the US-Israeli conflict with Iran remained stalled on Tuesday. Trump said he was dissatisfied with Tehran’s latest proposal and claimed Iran had indicated it was in a “state of collapse” while reassessing its leadership.

Iran’s proposal reportedly suggested postponing discussions about its nuclear programme until after the conflict ends and shipping disputes are settled. However, US officials say Trump wants nuclear issues addressed immediately.

In a social media post, Trump stated that Iran had requested the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while it worked through internal leadership challenges, though there was no clear indication of how this message was conveyed. Tehran did not immediately respond.

An Iranian military spokesperson earlier said the country does not consider the war to be over.

Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has restricted most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies, while the US has imposed a blockade on Iranian vessels.

According to reports, Trump has directed aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran’s guards take greater role

Prospects for renewed peace efforts have diminished in a conflict that has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and disrupted global markets. Trump recently cancelled a planned visit by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan, which had been acting as a mediator.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Islamabad twice over the weekend for discussions.

Following the deaths of several senior Iranian figures in US-Israeli strikes, Iran’s leadership structure has become less centralised. The reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the succession of his son Mojtaba has shifted influence toward hardline factions within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Officials familiar with negotiations say Iran’s proposal outlines a phased approach, beginning with ending hostilities and securing guarantees against renewed conflict, followed by resolving maritime disputes and eventually addressing the nuclear issue.

This approach echoes elements of the 2015 nuclear agreement, from which Trump withdrew during his first term.

Domestically, Trump is facing growing pressure over the war. His approval rating has declined, with recent polling showing decreasing public support amid concerns over economic conditions and the conflict.

He has also clashed with European leaders, criticising German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his stance on Iran.

Despite tensions, King Charles emphasised in his congressional address that the UK and US remain close allies committed to defending democratic values.

Oil prices rise again

With no clear resolution in sight, oil prices have continued to climb, with Brent crude rising करीब 3% to approximately $111 per barrel.

The World Bank has warned that energy prices could rise significantly in 2026 if disruptions linked to the conflict persist.

The United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+, highlighting divisions among Gulf countries over Iran.

Recent data shows several Iranian oil tankers have been forced to turn back due to the US blockade, while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped sharply.

Iranian officials say alternative trade routes are being used to mitigate the impact.

Meanwhile, the US has imposed new sanctions targeting entities linked to Iran’s financial networks and warned that companies facilitating passage through the Strait of Hormuz could face penalties.