Trump says Germany helping with Iran strikes, meets Merz at White House

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich ‌Merz at the White House on Tuesday (March 3, 2026), thanking the German leader for his support of the widening ​U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

Mr. Trump, speaking in the Oval Office alongside Mr. Merz, told reporters that Germany had been “helping ⁠out” by allowing U.S. forces to access certain bases, and drew a sharp contrast to the actions of two other European countries: Britain and Spain.

Mr. Merz said Germany and the United States shared a desire to get rid of Iran’s current regime and said he would discuss ‌with Mr. Trump what happened once the military operation ended.

Mr. Merz became the first foreign leader to see Mr. Trump after the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on Saturday (February 28, 2026).

Referring to the Israel-U.S. attack on Iran Mr. Merz told reporters, “This is, of course, damaging our economies. This is true for the oil prices, and this is true for the gas prices as well.”

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

“We are on the same page in terms of getting this terrible regime in Iran away, and we will talk about the day after,” Mr. Merz said, adding ‌he would also speak with Mr. Trump about Russia’s war in Ukraine and the U.S.-European Union trade agreement.

The war in ‌Iran ⁠is politically sensitive for Mr. Merz, who faces potential backlash at home over Germany’s support for the U.S.-Israeli ⁠operation.

On Sunday (March 1, 2026), he expressed no criticism of the U.S. airstrikes but stopped short of endorsing an operation which Trump’s critics have said was undertaken without sufficient explanation and the required legal backing in international law.

Mr. Trump said Germany was letting U.S. forces land in “certain areas,” but that the U.S. was not asking ​Germany to provide troops. “They’re letting us land in certain ‌areas, and we appreciate it, and they’re just making it comfortable. We’re not asking them to put boots on the ground.”

The U.S. president said he had a good relationship with Germany and Mr. Merz in particular, calling him an “excellent leader”. That marked a big change from Mr. Merz’s fellow Christian Democrat and former Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr. Trump said, adding that he had differences ‌with Ms. Merkel over immigration and energy.

(With inputs from AFP)