German Chancellor Merz: Iranians Negotiate with ‘Exceptional Skill’
Reflecto News | International Diplomacy | Iran-US Relations
BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered a rare acknowledgment of Tehran’s diplomatic prowess on Monday, stating that Iranian negotiators are “obviously very skilled at negotiating”—or more precisely, “very skillful at not negotiating” as the Islamic Republic continues to outmaneuver the United States in stalled ceasefire talks .
‘An Entire Nation Is Being Humiliated’
Speaking during a talk with students in the town of Marsberg, Merz delivered an unusually blunt assessment of the current state of US-Iran diplomacy, suggesting that Washington has been outmaneuvered at every turn since the conflict began on February 28 .
“The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skillful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result.”
By distinguishing between “skilled at negotiating” and “skillful at not negotiating,” Merz highlighted Iran’s ability to draw the United States into diplomatic engagement while conceding nothing of substance—a tactic Tehran has refined over decades .
The Chancellor went further, asserting that the dynamic has resulted in a broader humiliation of the United States at the hands of the Iranian leadership:
“An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible.”
The Diplomatic Theater: Islamabad, Muscat, and No Results
Merz’s analysis cited the most recent round of diplomatic maneuvering. According to the Chancellor, the US sent high-level envoys to Islamabad for indirect talks mediated by Pakistan. The Iranian delegation departed without committing to further negotiations, leaving the envoys to return home empty-handed .
The Iranian foreign minister has since shuttled on to Oman and Russia for consultations, seemingly in no rush to return to the table .
Germany’s Frustration with Washington
Merz’s critique was not solely directed at Tehran. The Chancellor, who has cultivated a reputation as a staunch Atlanticist, expressed deep frustration with the Trump administration’s handling of the conflict.
Merz reiterated that “Germans and Europeans were not consulted before the U.S. and Israel started attacking Iran” on February 28, adding pointedly: “If I had known that it would continue like this for five or six weeks and get progressively worse, I would have told him [President Trump] even more emphatically” .
The Chancellor compared the US approach to previous “forever wars” in Iraq and Afghanistan—an assessment that will not be welcomed in Washington .
Division Among NATO Allies
The Chancellor’s remarks underscore the rift between the United States and its European allies. While the US-led coalition has focused on military pressure and the naval blockade of Iranian ports, Merz has indicated that Germany would prefer a diplomatic off ramp—even if Tehran currently holds the cards .
President Trump has previously criticized NATO allies for not sending their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has remained effectively closed since the war began, causing unprecedented disruption in global energy supplies.
Merz also revealed that Germany has offered to send minesweepers to clear the strait, which he claims has been “obviously mined in part” .
Farewell to the ‘Firewall’ Chancellor?
The Chancellor’s statements left analysts questioning how long Germany will remain a reliable US partner on Iran policy if the stalemate continues. Merz won the 2025 election in part by positioning himself as a traditional transatlantic partner who would end the friction of the previous administration.
Yet, this public critique—describing the US as being “humiliated” and lacking a coherent strategy—represents a significant diplomatic rupture. It suggests that even Germany’s center-right leadership is running out of patience with the White House’s approach.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi traveled to Russia on Monday for consultations with President Putin—a move that further isolates Washington as Tehran coordinates with its key strategic partner .
What Merz Gets Right
The Chancellor’s assessment aligns with the observable reality of the conflict:
- First round of talks collapsed in Islamabad on April 11-12 after Iran reportedly refused to commit to a second round
- Trump canceled the US envoy trip to Pakistan for the second round on April 25, citing “confusion” within Iran’s leadership
- No new talks are scheduled, though the ceasefire has been extended indefinitely
- Iran has not conceded on any major demand—the blockade remains, the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and nuclear enrichment continues
Iran has submitted a new written proposal to Washington through Pakistani channels, offering to reopen the strait in exchange for lifting the blockade while postponing nuclear negotiations to a later stage. The White House has neither accepted nor rejected the framework.
A ‘Long Game’ or ‘Skillful Non-Negotiation’?
Merz’s assessment suggests that Iran’s strategy is not to reach a deal at all but to demonstrate that it can impose costs on the global economy indefinitely without making concessions.
By maintaining that the U.S. cannot extract significant compromises while the blockade and the strait’s closure remain in place, Tehran appears to be betting that Washington—and its European allies—will eventually fracture. The longer the stalemate persists, the more Germany’s frustration with the “runaround” in Islamabad seems likely to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What did German Chancellor Merz say about Iran’s negotiating skills?
Chancellor Merz said that “Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skillful at not negotiating,” adding that Iran has been humiliating the United States by letting American officials “travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result” .
Q2: Did Merz criticize the United States?
Yes. Merz said that Germans and Europeans were not consulted before the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, that he didn’t see an exit strategy from the current conflict, and that the situation was costing Germany “a lot of money, a lot of taxpayers’ money and a lot of economic strength” .
Q3: What did Merz say about the naval blockade?
Merz stated that it is “evident the Strait of Hormuz has been at least partially mined” and that Germany had offered to send minesweepers to help clear the strait .
Q4: Is the ceasefire still holding?
A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire remains in effect and has been extended indefinitely by President Trump, but no formal agreement has been reached, and no second round of talks is currently scheduled.
Q5: What is Iran’s current proposal?
Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war in exchange for postponing nuclear negotiations to a later stage—a framework that would preserve Iran’s enrichment program for now while lifting economic pressure.
Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Merz’s statement | Iranians are “very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skillful at not negotiating” |
| Context | First round of US-Iran talks collapsed; US envoy trip canceled |
| Merz’s criticism | US is being “humiliated” and has no exit strategy |
| US-Iran talks status | Stalled; no second round scheduled |
| Ceasefire status | Extended indefinitely, but fragile |
| Germany’s offer | Send minesweepers to clear the Strait of Hormuz |
| German frustration | Europeans “not consulted” before strikes on Iran |
| Araghchi’s location | Moscow, consulting with Putin |
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