Berlin | German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump for his course of action in the Iran conflict, the German Press Agency reported.

"What Trump is doing right now is not de-escalation and an attempt to reach a peaceful solution, but a massive escalation with an uncertain outcome," Merz said late Friday at an event in Frankfurt.

"These are escalations that are threatening," he added. "Not only for those directly affected, but for all of us." Merz also expressed doubt that the current leadership in Iran can be overthrown by the war.

"Is regime change really the goal?" he said. "If that is the goal, I don't think they will achieve it. That has usually gone wrong."