Trump made the remarks in a social media post after Merz said earlier this week that the United States was being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership and questioned Washington’s strategy in the conflict, which has entered its third month and has disrupted global energy flows.

“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” Trump wrote.The threat marked the latest strain in relations between Washington and Berlin as Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for refusing to support the U.S. military campaign against Iran, while European leaders have raised concerns over the economic consequences of prolonged instability in the Gulf.

Merz said on Wednesday that his personal relationship with Trump remained “as good as ever,” but added that he had “had doubts from the very beginning about what was started there with the war in Iran.”Speaking hours before Trump’s post, Merz said Germany and Europe were facing significant economic pressure from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping route through which around one-fifth of global oil supply had moved before the conflict began on Feb. 28.

“We are suffering considerably in Germany and in Europe from the consequences of, for example, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” Merz said. “And in that regard, I urge that this conflict be resolved.”The waterway has remained effectively shut since hostilities intensified, adding to volatility in global energy markets and raising fears of wider supply disruptions across Europe and Asia.

Merz, who met Trump at the White House in March shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched bombardments against Iran, had then said Germany was prepared to work with Washington on a strategy for a post-conflict regional order if Iran’s current government were to fall.

He also warned that an extended war could inflict serious damage on the global economy.

Trump, however, has openly attacked the German chancellor in recent days. On Tuesday, he said Merz wrongly believed Iran should be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon and wrote that the German leader “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“It’s no surprise that Germany is doing so poorly, both economically and in other respects,” Trump added.The dispute has revived memories of Trump’s first term, when he sought to withdraw about 9,500 of the roughly 34,500 U.S. troops then stationed in Germany, arguing Berlin was failing to spend enough on defense. That plan was announced in 2020 but never implemented, and former President Joe Biden formally halted it after taking office in 2021.

Germany hosts several major U.S. military installations, including the headquarters of U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, Ramstein Air Base, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest American military hospital outside the United States.

Merz said his government remained “on good speaking terms” with the Trump administration despite the latest dispute.

Sharif, writing on social media platform X, said Pakistan would be “ready and honoured” to facilitate “meaningful and conclusive talks” for a comprehensive settlement, subject to agreement by Washington and Tehran.

His statement comes as the war, involving U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks, entered its fourth week.Trump said on Monday that U.S. officials had engaged in “very good and productive” discussions with Iran over a “complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.”

He added that talks began on Sunday and continued into Monday, involving Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf rejected the U.S. account, saying no talks had taken place and describing reports of negotiations as “fake news,” according to Iranian state-linked statements and sources familiar with the matter.

The divergence underscores the opacity surrounding diplomatic efforts as fighting continues across the region.

The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, citing a lack of progress in negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Mediator Oman had previously indicated that significant advances had been made in earlier discussions.

Since the strikes, Iran has responded with missile attacks and expanded its actions beyond Israeli territory, targeting countries hosting U.S. bases and striking Gulf energy infrastructure.

The conflict has disrupted global energy markets, with Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies transit.

The escalation has heightened concerns over supply stability and increased geopolitical risk across the Middle East, prompting renewed international calls for de-escalation through diplomatic channels.