German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that the United States‑Israel war against Iran has cost Europe more than €100 billion (about US$112 billion) in energy prices over the past eight months, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on the X platform that the German chancellor had welcomed the US and Israeli attacks on Iran in June of last year, when he said, “This is the work that Israel is doing for all of us.” Araghchi warned that new attacks would impose an even greater cost on Europe. He wrote, “€100 billion is nothing compared with the devastating blow that the powerful Iranian Armed Forces would inflict on those who dare harm our people.” He added, “The red flags belong to the past.” Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei also criticized European concerns about energy costs. In a post on X he asked, “When you brooded over war crimes, did you think the consequences wouldn’t affect you?” Oil prices have risen to their highest level in six months, with Brent crude up 2.4 % at $117.64 per barrel, reflecting fears of a new escalation in the conflict.