US-Germany spat over Iran intensifies as Hegseth orders troop removal

US-Germany spat over Iran intensifies as Hegseth orders troop removal Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 05/02/2026 - 10:07 German defence minister says Europe must look after itself, as 5,000 American troops set to leave Germany US President Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meet at the White House in Washington, 3 March 2026 (Reuters) Off The spat between the US and Germany over the war on Iran is intensifying after Washington announced the withdrawal of 5,000 American troops from German soil. Responding to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's order on Friday, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday that "Europeans must take responsibility for our own security". Pistorius said the US move to withdraw troops from Germany, its largest European base, had been expected.