JAKARTA - German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil on Thursday blamed US President Donald Trump for an "irresponsible war" against Iran, saying the conflict and the resulting spike in energy prices were weighing on the country's economy and public finances.
"The Iran war, which was triggered by Donald Trump - this irresponsible war and the energy price shock it caused - slowed down our positive economic momentum," Klingbeil told reporters in Berlin, as reported by Anadolu (8/5).
The Social Democratic politician said the Iran conflict, along with Russia's war in Ukraine and ongoing tariff disputes, was expected to reduce German tax revenues in the coming years.
He said tax revenue projections for 2027 were around 10.1 billion euros ($11.9 billion) below October's estimate.
According to the latest tax revenue forecasts, the federal, state and municipal governments are expected to collect a combined 87.5 billion euros ($103 billion) less than previously projected over the next five years.
"The outlook remains clouded by 'great uncertainty' and will require continued crisis management," Klingbeil said.
He added that Germany must become more resilient and less dependent on external shocks.
"That is why we are focusing on reforms and investments to make Germany stronger," he said.
It is known that regional tensions in the Middle East have increased since the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28, which triggered retaliation from Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The ceasefire came into effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. The ceasefire was then extended by US President Donald Trump without a set time limit.
Since April 13, the US has imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strait.
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