German defense minister rules out naval deployment to Strait of Hormuz

BERLIN

Germany’s defense minister on Monday ruled out sending naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, saying such a move would risk dragging Germany into a conflict with Iran.

Boris Pistorius told reporters in Berlin that while Germany shares the US and Israel's goal of bringing an end to the regime in Iran, his country is not a party to the war and will not become one.

He dismissed US President Donald Trump’s call for NATO allies to help secure the strategic waterway and stressed that Germany will push for a diplomatic solution and a swift end to the fighting.

"What does Donald Trump expect a handful of European frigates to accomplish in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful American Navy cannot achieve alone? That is the question I ask myself," Pistorius said.

He said that any deployment outside NATO's area of operations would require both an international legal mandate and parliamentary approval, adding that the German government has no intention of taking that step.

“I see absolutely no reason to do so,” Pistorius said. “It is not our war; we did not start it. We want diplomatic solution and a swift end to the conflict. But sending more warships to the region will likely not contribute to that.”

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, more than 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

The conflict has led to severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz since early March, pushing oil prices higher, with Tehran saying vessels from countries not involved in the war are being allowed to transit the strait.

The key shipping lane handles about 20 million barrels of oil a day, roughly 20% of the global supply.