German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urges early end to US-Israel war on Iran, citing economic fears, while aligning on goal to remove Tehran’s regime.

WASHINGTON: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a swift end to the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran during a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Merz expressed deep concern over the conflict’s impact on global energy markets and the broader economy.

“This is, of course, damaging our economies. This is true for the oil prices, and this is true for the gas prices as well,” Merz told reporters alongside Trump.

“So that’s the reason why we all hope that this war will come to an end as soon as possible.”

The German leader, who has been a vocal critic of Iran’s clerical rulers, affirmed a shared objective with the US to remove the government in Tehran.

“We are hoping that the Israeli and the American army are doing the right things to bring this to an end and to have, really, a new government in place that is coming back to peace and freedom,” he said.

President Trump has shifted focus from explicit regime change to militarily degrading Iran following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The meeting was originally intended to address the war in Ukraine and strained EU-US trade relations.

Germany, alongside France and Britain, has committed only to defensive support for allies in the Gulf, a stance US officials have criticised as soft.

French President Emmanuel Macron later announced a plan for eight European nations to bolster continental security using France’s nuclear arsenal, with Germany as a key partner.

Despite significant political differences, Merz has maintained a working relationship with Trump.

He has met key US demands by significantly increasing German defence spending within NATO.

Merz has also emphasised the need for greater European sovereignty and previously urged America to help repair transatlantic trust, citing a “deep rift” between allies.

He has often highlighted Trump’s German heritage, even presenting him with his grandfather’s birth certificate.

 The Sun Malaysia