Iran has threatened to deliver an "earth-shattering blow" in response to Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who blamed Tehran for driving more than €100 billion ($112 billion) in extra energy costs across Europe during the Israel-US war. The exchange unfolded on social media platform X, where both officials traded accusations over who is responsible for the financial strain.
The dispute stems from remarks by Merz, who wrote on X: "We now have costs exceeding €100billion for Europe alone over the last eight months, solely because of the increase in energy prices caused by this conflict [with Iran]."
Exchange on X escalates
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi quoted the post, responding: "When Israel-US bombings of Iran began last year, Mr Merz hailed them as 'Doing Europe's dirty work'." He added: "€100 billion is nothing compared to the Earth-shattering blow Iran's powerful Armed Forces will deal against those who dare harm our people. Red lines are a thing of the past."
The row comes as Iran has held control over the Strait of Hormuz since early March, a move taken as part of defensive measures in response to the war that broke out on 28 February, according to the Express US.
Germany's diplomatic push
While Merz appeared to support the conflict in its opening stages, he has since stated that Germany is actively working to bring hostilities to a close at the earliest opportunity. Speaking to reporters in Seoul, South Korea, Merz stressed that the Iran war needed to conclude as swiftly as possible given the significant financial burden it is placing on Europe.
He confirmed that Germany was stepping up and coordinating diplomatic efforts to end the war, while emphasising that the "conflict cannot be resolved militarily". "Businesses and consumers in Europe have paid more than 100billion euros extra because energy has become more expensive as a result of this conflict," the Chancellor said. "We therefore also have an economic interest in bringing this conflict to an end as quickly as possible," he added.
Concerns over regional instability
Merz has consistently cautioned against letting the conflict drag on into a drawn-out war, contending that the collapse of the Iranian state or spiralling instability throughout the region would carry grave repercussions for Europe's security, energy supplies and migration.
