Merz: Iran war is costing German economy “great deal of money”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has claimed that the United States had launched its operation against Iran “clearly without any strategy,” making it now even more difficult to end the conflict, which is directly affecting Germany’s economy.

During a discussion with school students in Marsberg, he warned that, at the moment, the situation was quite confusing, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“And it is costing us a great deal of money”, he noted.

Merz made it clear that the Iranians seem to be negotiating very skillfully — or avoiding negotiations just as skillfully.

The chancellor has expressed doubt that the United States will be able to quickly bring its military operation against Iran to an end.

“The Iranians are clearly stronger than expected and the Americans clearly have no truly convincing strategy in the negotiations either,” Merz said.

“The problem with conflicts like this is always: you don't just have to get in, you have to get out again. We saw that very painfully in Afghanistan for 20 years. We saw it in Iraq,” he added.

Merz also said that Berlin continues to support the use of mine countermeasure vessels to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that a ceasefire is a necessary precondition.

Iran and the United States held several rounds of talks in Islamabad on April 11.

However, both sides later said no agreement was reached on a long-term settlement due to differences, and details of a potential new round of talks remain unclear.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov