U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration is considering a potential reduction of American troops stationed in Germany, escalating tensions with Berlin.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. is “studying and reviewing” the possibility of a troop drawdown and that a decision could come in the near term.

The announcement follows a sharp exchange between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump criticized Merz a day earlier, accusing him of misunderstanding the risks posed by Tehran.

The remarks appeared to respond to comments Merz made during a speech in Marsberg, where he suggested the United States was being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership.

Trump defended his administration’s approach, arguing that stronger action was necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and warning of broader global consequences if it did.

The potential troop reduction adds a new dimension to growing strains between Washington and Berlin, which have also been marked by disagreements over economic performance and foreign policy.