The United States intends to speed up the removal of forces from European bases and will share its ideas with NATO partners next month, according to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, which cited an unnamed Pentagon official.

Washington revealed intentions in May to remove 5,000 soldiers from Germany, a move largely viewed as stemming from tensions regarding the Iran conflict involving President Donald Trump and European nations. Germany currently hosts around 35,000 active-duty American military members, the largest number anywhere in Europe.

At that stage, the Pentagon indicated the pullout would finish within six to twelve months.

Welt am Sonntag offered no specifics on the extent of acceleration or the sites that could be impacted. The United States plans to outline its approach to allies during next month's North Atlantic Treaty Organization Force Sourcing Conference, the report stated.

The Pentagon offered no immediate reply to a request for comment.

Trump Warned of Reductions Following Dispute with German Leader

Trump had signaled possible cuts in forces after clashing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently claimed the Iranians were embarrassing the US in negotiations to conclude the two-month conflict and questioned Washington's exit plan.

A senior Pentagon official, who spoke without attribution, described recent German statements as unsuitable and unconstructive.

The president is responding appropriately to these unhelpful comments, the official noted at the time.

The official added that the reduction would return American troop numbers in Europe to levels seen before 2022, prior to the buildup ordered by former President Joe Biden following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Trump has focused criticism on Germany while also faulting other NATO members for failing to deploy naval assets to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid the fighting.