US withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany after Merz says US ‘humiliated’ by Iran

US president says European countries are ‘absolutely horrible’ to refuse to support operations in strait of Hormuz

US officials say that Abrams tanks needed to train Ukrainian forces have arrived in Germany, and are on their way to Grafenwoehr Army base where the training will begin in two to three weeks. (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post via AP, File)

The US is withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as Donald Trump also threatened Italy and Spain for not helping to reopen the strait of Hormuz.

The president’s move to reduce the number of personnel deployed in Germany came after the country’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said the US was being “humiliated” by Iran.