A German minesweeper is passing through the Suez Canal on its way to the Red Sea ahead of a possible deployment in the Strait of Hormuz, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday.
Speaking in Brussels ahead of a meeting with his NATO counterparts, Pistorius confirmed that two German Navy ships - the minesweeper Fulda and a supply vessel, the Mosel - are travelling towards the Strait of Hormuz.
The two ships were previously deployed to the eastern Mediterranean in anticipation of a peace deal between the United States and Iran, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz having promised that Germany will take part in a mission to secure the crucial waterway once the fighting has stopped.
A German deployment in a new mission to secure the strait would require parliamentary approval, with Merz saying at the Group of Seven (G7) summit this week that he hopes a vote could take place before the summer break begins on July 10.
However, Pistorius said no authorization was necessary to send the ships towards the region as the voyage is covered by the mandate for Germany's participation in the EU's Operation Aspides, which helps to secure shipping in the Red Sea against the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen.
"We want to be ready to act quickly and, above all, to be in the Strait of Hormuz swiftly," Pistorius said.
The Navy vessels are to be accompanied by autonomous systems, mine divers and security forces for a potential deployment.
The initial destination of the voyage is Djibouti, Pistorius said. Whether a mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz takes place is still “open,” the minister added, explaining that a clear legal framework under international law was required, which could take various forms.
Furthermore, the consent of Iran and Oman would be necessary for mine-clearing activities.
Much depends on how negotiations between Iran and the US proceed over the next 60 days, said Pistorius.
He welcomed the progress made and the agreement to cease hostilities immediately.
"In any case, we are ready," Pistorius said. "When the time comes, we are prepared."
