Washington: The United States is preparing to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, a NATO ally, amid escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and Europe over the issue of a war with Iran. The U.S. Department of Defense announced this decision on Friday, signaling a shift in military strategy.

According to Thai News Agency, a senior U.S. Department of Defense official stated that the troop withdrawal will be completed within the next 6 to 12 months. Currently, approximately 35,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Germany, which is the largest deployment in Europe. This reduction would reduce the number of U.S. troops in Europe to a level close to that before 2022, aligning with the period prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which had prompted then-U.S. President Joe Biden to increase military personnel.

Officials from the Department of Defense have indicated that this decision is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to encourage Europe to take on more responsibility for its own security. The move reflects ongoing discussions regarding the role of U.S. military forces in Europe and their strategic placement.

The possibility of further troop withdrawals from Europe remains uncertain. When asked about the potential for reducing forces in other countries such as Italy and Spain, President Trump responded with a tentative "possibly," leaving room for future adjustments in U.S. military commitments on the continent.