United States President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of around 5,000 American troops from Germany, a move that comes against the backdrop of growing tensions between Washington and its European allies over the war with Iran. According to Reuters, the decision follows a period of strained relations, particularly as negotiations aimed at ending the conflict have reached a deadlock. The war itself began in late February after coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with Tehran responding by targeting neighboring countries and blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies.

The announcement is also tied to a diplomatic clash between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz publicly criticized Washington's approach, stating that Iran was ?humiliating? the United States during negotiations and questioning the overall strategy for ending the conflict. Trump responded sharply, saying Merz ?doesn?t know what he's talking about,? and reiterated his intention to reduce the American military presence in Germany. The Pentagon later confirmed that the withdrawal would be carried out over a period of six to twelve months, describing it as part of a broader review of US military positioning in Europe.

Currently, Germany hosts approximately 36,000 US troops, the largest American deployment on the continent. Pentagon officials indicated that once the withdrawal is complete, troop levels in Europe will return to those seen before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The move reportedly caught German military officials off guard, particularly given Berlin's support for US operations related to Iran, including granting access to military bases.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged the development, saying the presence of US forces in Europe ?meets our interests and the interests of the United States,? but added that a reduction had been expected. He also urged European countries to take on greater responsibility for their own defense capabilities. NATO echoed similar concerns, with spokeswoman Alison Hart stating the alliance is ?working with the US to understand the details? of the decision, while emphasizing the need for increased European defense investment.

The troop withdrawal is part of a wider pattern of pressure from Washington on its allies. Earlier reports referenced internal Pentagon discussions about potential measures against NATO members seen as insufficiently supportive of US actions in Iran. These included controversial options such as removing Spain from NATO and reconsidering US backing for United Kingdom claims over the Falkland Islands. Trump has also floated the idea of reducing troop levels in Spain and Italy, particularly after Madrid opposed the use of its bases for strikes on Iran. In March, he went as far as threatening a full trade embargo on Spain over the dispute.