German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro presented a united front in Berlin, demanding that Iran end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and immediately return to the negotiating table. Warning that Tehran’s actions are holding the global economy hostage, Merz confirmed that a German naval vessel is en route to the Eastern Mediterranean and threatened heavier sanctions if the maritime disruptions persist.
Prime Minister Montenegro echoed these strong sentiments, condemning Iran’s nuclear ambitions and urging a swift diplomatic resolution to the region’s conflicts. Shifting to transatlantic relations, Chancellor Merz also called for a binding agreement to end US-European tariff disputes and restore long-term economic stability. Furthermore, despite recent US troop reductions in Europe, he reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering commitment to a unified NATO and shared international security.