CryptoWorld News reports that German Chancellor Merz said on the 3rd that the United States’ recent decision to cut its troops stationed in Germany is “not related” to his remarks criticizing the Iran conflict. Merz stated on a program on German TV Channel One that he was not surprised by the U.S. government’s decision to reduce its stationed forces; the situation may indeed have escalated somewhat, but this is not a new development. He emphasized that the United States still remains NATO’s most important partner, the nuclear sharing arrangements have not been reduced, and the nuclear deterrence commitments have not been limited. In addition, Merz said the U.S. will temporarily not deploy the “Tomahawk” cruise missiles promised for 2024 in Germany because “the Americans themselves are not enough for use right now.”