Merz warns of a NATO split in the face of the Iran-US war

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday that he did not want to see NATO split because of the conflict between the United States and Iran, amid high tensions between Western allies.

Speaking to the press in Berlin, Friedrich Merz attempted to downplay the threats attributed to the American president. Donald Trump regarding a possible withdrawal of American troops from certain member countries of the alliance deemed insufficiently committed.

The Chancellor also announced that Germany was resuming discussions with Iran, in close coordination with Washington and its European partners, with the aim of contributing to a de-escalation of a conflict that has already killed thousands and caused a major energy crisis.

This war is putting NATO to a severe test, already weakened by the conflict in Ukraine and other internal disputes. Repeated criticism from Donald Trump, who called the alliance a "paper tiger," is exacerbating concerns about its cohesion.

In this context, Friedrich Merz stressed the need to preserve the unity of the transatlantic alliance, considered essential to international stability.

Germany has said it is ready to participate in operations to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic point for global energy trade, but only under certain conditions, including the existence of a ceasefire, a United Nations mandate and the approval of the Bundestag.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reportedly informed several capitals that Washington expected concrete commitments in the coming days to secure this crucial sea route.

Faced with these pressures and strategic differences, Berlin is trying to play a balancing role, avoiding a split within NATO while supporting diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.