Trump congratulates Merkel on election win

US President Donald Trump has  congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel on her election  victory and discussed the Iran nuclear deal, in a telephone  conversation, the White House said.  Trump wished her well in the formation of her fourth  government, the WH officials said.     He underscored the deep ties that bind the two nations,  their joint efforts to promote peace and prosperity, and US  commitment to their longstanding, strong alliance with the  German government and its people.   Among other things, they discussed how to counter Iran’s  ‘malign’ activities in the Middle East.   Trump and Merkel also addressed the nuclear deal and  Iran’s missile program, and its non-compliance with the UN.  They also affirmed the importance of achieving the  peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the White  House said.   Trump and Merkel frequently talk to each other on a wide  range of bilateral and global issues.         Trump had called her before the elections to wish her.  Over the weekend, Merkel, 63, won her fourth consecutive  election.   The win solidifies her position as the defacto leader of  Europe. Before joining politics, she was a scientist in East  Germany. She has a PhD in uantum chemistry.