German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that his relationship with President Trump remained "as good as ever," but that he had "had doubts from the very beginning about what was started there with the war in Iran."

"We are suffering considerably in Germany and in Europe from the consequences of, for example, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz," Merz said. "In that regard, I urge that this conflict be resolved."

Mr. Trump had attacked Merz Tuesday on his Truth Social platform, saying: "The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn't know what he's talking about!" 

Mr. Trump was responding to Merz's comments the previous day, when the German leader said the U.S. was being "humiliated" by the Iranian leadership and criticized what he called Washington's lack of strategy in the war.