German foreign minister: Merz comment on US 'humiliation' was warning to Iran

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s comment that Iran is “humiliating” the US was meant as a warning to Iran to negotiate seriously, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Wednesday.

“This was a clear warning to Tehran not to misunderstand the whole situation,” Wadephul told German broadcaster DW, adding that the current ceasefire should prompt Iran to reach an agreement rather than stall negotiations.

He warned that the US has deployed significant military capabilities in the region, and that the failure of talks could lead to another escalation.

“What we currently see is that Tehran is playing for time and not really negotiating in a way which is necessary and which is needed,” Wadephul said. “It's a bad behavior what Iran is right now doing and they are, as I said, misunderstanding their position and overplaying their role.”

Merz on Monday criticized the US for lacking an “exit strategy” in the Iran war, saying Americans were being “humiliated” by the Iranian regime during talks.

“Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating — or rather, very skillful at not negotiating — and then letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and leave again without any results,” Merz said during a discussion with high school students in the western town of Marsberg.

“An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called (Islamic) Revolutionary Guards (Corps),” he added.

The remarks drew a sharp rebuke from US President Donald Trump, who said Merz “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” and accused him of accepting Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons.

“I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations or Presidents should have done long ago,” Trump said. “No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both economically and otherwise!”