Germany prepares to send minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz

Germany is ready to deploy minesweepers in the Strait of Hormuz, but only as part of a possible international mission.

The issue is expected to be discussed on Friday in Paris, where German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to Politico.

According to a German government official, the federal government is “prepared to make a German contribution to ensuring freedom of navigation.” This could include “mine clearance or maritime reconnaissance.”

The mine clearance plan was first reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Merz reiterated his government's stance after meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Berlin on Thursday.

He stressed that Germany is "fundamentally ready" to help secure maritime transport routes, but only under strict conditions.

They include a lasting ceasefire, a mandate within a collective security system – “preferably” by the United Nations – and formal approval by both the federal government and the Bundestag. Merz underlined that Berlin remains “far” from such a decision.

The signal comes at a time when a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is in place but has not yet fully stabilized the situation in the strait, where Iran blocked traffic and the US responded by blocking Iranian ships.

US President Donald Trump has urged NATO allies to act quickly, seeking commitments "within days" after his meeting with the alliance's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, in early April.

However, allies have been wary of engaging in any combat action in the war launched by Trump without consulting them.

The GeoPost