The United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between US President Donald Trump and Germany.

Earlier this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the United States for its "planless" military engagement in Iran, saying that the United States "is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership."

In response, Trump lashed out at the German leader, saying he "doesn't know what he's talking about" and is indifferent to Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday that the United States is considering a possible reduction of troops in Germany, and the decision will be made "over the next short period of time." He said on Thursday that he may also reduce US military presence in Spain and Italy.

"Why shouldn't I? Italy has not been of any help. Spain has been horrible. Absolutely," said Trump, again slamming European allies for not helping in the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Germany is prepared for the possible reduction of US troops in the country, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Thursday.

Germany hosts more than 36,400 US troops as of late 2025, making it the second-largest US military presence outside American soil, after Japan, according to Tagesschau, a flagship news program of German public broadcaster ARD.

Yu Xiaohua, a professor at Germany's University of Gottingen, suggested that Trump might execute a symbolic reduction, perhaps a few hundred troops, as a political gesture.

Still, some observers see a broader shift underway. "Whatever the case, the dissolution of the alliance has already begun," said former German foreign minister and vice chancellor Joschka Fischer in a commentary published in the French daily Le Monde.

(With input from Xinhua)