Merz: Europe Committed to NATO Despite U.S. Troop Withdrawal After Israel-Iran War

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday that Europe wanted to work to keep the NATO alliance functioning, despite differences with the United States that the Iran war has exposed. Merz spoke one day after the May 8 anniversary of the end of major combat operations in the Israel-Iran War of 2026, an ongoing or recent event that has laid bare transatlantic tensions.

U.S. troops to be withdrawn. U.S. interest to have a strong European component of NATO. The article containing Merz's latest remarks was published on May 9, 2026.

Haaretz reported that the chancellor framed the troop withdrawal as secondary to the broader question of alliance cohesion.

U.S. Merz reiterated that Europe remained committed to the alliance even as the Iran war highlighted policy divergences with Washington. U.S. preceded the troop withdrawal order by President Trump.

The chancellor has since sought to downplay the numerical impact of any American drawdown while stressing the need for shared strategic goals.

U.S. The statement comes as both sides assess the aftermath of the Israel-Iran War of 2026, which exposed differences between Washington and its European allies on Iran policy and regional security. Haaretz reported that Merz's Saturday remarks represented an attempt to refocus the conversation on long-term alliance durability rather than short-term force adjustments.

The chancellor avoided direct criticism of the troop withdrawal while underscoring Europe's willingness to shoulder more responsibility within NATO.