TRUMP WITHDRAWS 5,000 TROOPS FROM GERMANY AMID IRAN WAR DISPUTE, SEEKS ALLIES FOR STRAIT OF HORMUZ COALITION

President attacks NATO partners while administration pursues international naval effort; ceasefire with Iran holds but talks stall.Speaking to reporters, Trump broadened his criticism of NATO partners. “Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible,” he said when asked about further troop withdrawals.

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany and warned that Italy and Spain could be next, even as his administration seeks allied support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing standoff with Iran.

The Pentagon announced Friday that a brigade combat team now in Germany will be pulled out over the next six to twelve months. A long-range fires battalion planned for deployment to Germany later this year will also be cancelled. The US currently has roughly 35,000 active-duty personnel stationed in Germany, more than half of its European total.

The move follows public criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said this week that the US was being “humiliated” by Iran in negotiations and lacked an exit strategy. Trump countered that Merz was “doing a terrible job” and should spend “less time on interfering” with US efforts to tackle “the Iran nuclear threat.”

“The president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks,” a senior Pentagon official said, adding that recent German statements had been “inappropriate and unhelpful.”

Speaking to reporters, Trump broadened his criticism of NATO partners. “Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible,” he said when asked about further troop withdrawals.

Yet despite the attacks, the administration is pursuing a new international coalition to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway blocked by Iran. An internal memo seen by NBC News outlines a “Maritime Freedom Construct” initiative that would see allies coordinate diplomatic and economic actions against Iran and share information for safe transit.

The memo said the effort would complement “the maritime planning effort the UK and France are leading” and added: “We look forward to establishing communications channels with the UK and France to deconflict and closely coordinate these efforts.”

Trump told a dinner in West Palm Beach, Florida, that the US Navy was acting “like pirates” in its blockade of Iranian ports. “We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business,” he said.

On Friday, Trump also notified Congress that US hostilities with Iran have “terminated” under the current ceasefire, arguing he does not need legislative approval to continue military operations. The letter arrived on the 60th day since he formally notified Congress of strikes against Iran.

“There has been no exchange of fire between the United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026 have terminated,” Trump wrote.

The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires a president to end the use of armed forces within 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told a congressional hearing that the ceasefire had paused the clock. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine responded: “I do not believe the statute would support that.”

Trump said he was “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest proposal for negotiations. Iranian state news agency IRNA reported a new proposal was sent via Pakistan on Friday, though details were not published.

“There was tremendous discord between Iranian leaders,” Trump said, preventing them from unifying around a resolution. He said he had been briefed with options by US Central Command ranging from “blast the hell out of them and finish them forever” to “make a deal.”

“I mean, do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever? Or do we want to try and make a deal? Those are the options,” Trump said. He added the US would not leave early “and then have the problem arise in three more years.”

Iran has executed two men accused of spying for Israel, state media reported, including one charged with gathering intelligence near the Natanz nuclear site. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said at least 21 people had been executed in Iran since the start of the war.

Germany’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, said the US withdrawal was “foreseeable” and that Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security. “It was foreseeable that the US would withdraw troops from Europe, including Germany,” he said.

NATO said it remains confident in its defence and deterrence capabilities. “This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security,” a spokesperson said.

The US State Department has approved more than $8.6bn worth of military sales to Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, including Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems and Patriot missile defence replenishment services.

Meanwhile, Israel continues strikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire announced on 16 April. Lebanese health officials say 2,586 people were killed between 2 March and 30 April.

The shaky US-Iran ceasefire has lasted three weeks. The war began when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.