German Chancellor Merz: It is quite obvious that the Americans have absolutely no coherent strategy whatsoever. And the fundamental problem with these kinds of conflicts is always the same: it is not enough to simply get yourself in—you must also figure out how to get yourself out. We witnessed that reality quite painfully in Afghanistan over the course of 20 long years. We saw the exact same thing happen in Iraq. So this entire situation, as I have mentioned previously, is at the very least ill-considered. I do not see, at this present moment, what strategic exit the Americans are choosing—especially since the Iranians are either negotiating very skillfully, or just as effectively, refusing to negotiate at all. Making the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave empty-handed—there is a sense that a whole nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, particularly the Revolutionary Guards. As Europeans, we have extended an offer to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities come to an end. We have also offered to deploy specialized minesweepers from Germany to clear the strait, which appears to have been mined. But first, the fighting must stop. And right now, I do not see how that is achievable in the short term. The Iranians are proving stronger than initially expected, and the Americans do not appear to have a convincing or coherent strategy for negotiations. This is a complex and very difficult situation. (Translated from German)