U.S.-Germany Rift Over Iran War Spurs Missile And Troop Plan Dispute In Germany

A U.S.-Germany rift over the Iran war has spilled into Europe’s missile and troop plans, with Berlin pushing back on reports that the United States would no longer send a long-range fires battalion to Germany. The German Ministry of Defense said there had been no “definitive cancellation” of the missile deployment, and a ministry spokesperson added that the weapons were “meant to be stationed [on German soil] and may well still be.” The dispute is tied to the United States announcing it would reduce its military presence in Germany by 5,000 soldiers, a move described as a response to disagreements with Germany over the Iran war. In the same reporting, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the United States was being “humiliated” by the Iranian leadership and criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict, while Republican leaders of both Armed Services Committees said they were “very concerned” about the troop withdrawal and missile plans.

“Berlin, Germany – A diplomatic rift between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war on Iran has escalated into a broader debate about Europe’s transatlantic ties – while Berlin pushes to become the continent’s leading military power”

Al Jazeera

While the U.S.-Germany debate over Iran continues, France 24 reported that air defense systems went into action Thursday night against small aircraft and drones in the Tehran sky, with Tasnim and Fars saying the systems were activated to counter small aircraft and reconnaissance drones. France 24 also said the sound of the air defenses ceased after about 20 minutes of activity and retaliation against small aircraft, and that Tehran was back in a “normal situation.” In parallel, France 24 reported that new Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 17 on Thursday, despite the ceasefire in effect since April 17, with the Health Ministry reporting seventeen dead including at least five women and two children. The same briefing said the U.S. Embassy in Beirut called for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, framing Lebanon as being at a “turning point.”

As the Iran war drags on, the Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of competing claims about safe reopening and maritime control, with Euronews describing confusion after Iran asked ships to coordinate with Tehran and considered transit tolls. Euronews reported that only four cargo ships with their AIS transponders active had crossed the Strait more than 24 hours after the ceasefire announcement, while AxsMarine data showed the confirmed number of ships that crossed in the first 24 hours of the ceasefire was eleven. Euronews also said Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told a British television in Tehran that the Strait of Hormuz is open and that, due to sea mines, all ships must coordinate passage with Iran for safety. In the same reporting, Al Jazeera quoted Lea Reisner saying, “The German government claims that Germany is not a party to this war and at the same time, dispatched a minesweeper toward the Strait of Hormuz,” and Jurgen Hardt said a “combat mission” in the Strait of Hormuz is “out of the question for Germany.”

“Strikes in Lebanon kill 17, and the United States are urging a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu”

France 24