Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor, has accused the Trump administration of being "humiliated" by Iran's leadership, suggesting the United States is being outplayed at the negotiating table. Speaking to students in Marsberg, Merz criticized the stalled US-Iranian talks, which he said reflect poorly on Washington's strategy.
Merz's Critique of US Negotiating Tactics
Merz's remarks came after Donald Trump cancelled a trip by US negotiators to Islamabad for indirect talks with Iran. A previous round led by Vice-President JD Vance broke up without progress. Merz stated: "The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result." He added: "An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards."
Iran's New Proposal on Hormuz
On Monday, Iran proposed a ceasefire deal focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, setting aside nuclear and missile issues for later. Under a parliamentary bill, shippers would pay Tehran for passage services, though the strait was previously free. Iranian officials indicated they would discuss nuclear matters only after the US blockade ends. Mediators view this approach as unlikely to succeed because it would not achieve Washington's war aims, including a permanent end to Iran's nuclear program.
The International Maritime Organization rejected the fee idea. Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said: "There's no legal basis for the introduction of any tax, any customs, or any fees on straits for international navigation."
Economic Pressure on Iran
Trump imposed a counter-blockade after the breakdown of talks, exacerbating Iran's economic crisis. The IMF forecasts a 6.1% contraction in Iran's GDP this year, with inflation near 70%. The blockade has also prevented empty tankers from returning to port, straining storage capacity.
Diplomatic Maneuvering
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, seeking support to mitigate the blockade. Putin pledged to do everything to serve Iranian interests and achieve peace. Analyst Nikita Smagin noted that if the blockade continues, the Caspian Sea and land links with Russia could become vital trade routes, though they cannot replace the Strait of Hormuz, which handled over 90% of Iran's pre-war trade.
Expert Analysis
Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said Trump misjudged Iran's resilience: "Iran is in an existential battle and willing to absorb a much higher price." He noted Trump is politically sensitive to high petrol prices, inflation, and the upcoming World Cup. If Trump accepts Iran's Hormuz offer, he could declare victory despite Iran retaining 440kg of highly enriched uranium, enough for a dozen nuclear warheads.
Ariane Tabatabai, a former Pentagon adviser, warned that Iran could quickly reconstitute military capabilities. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the prospect of fresh action in Lebanon, citing threats from Hezbollah's rockets and drones.
