German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed on Tuesday that Germany is willing to take part in a military mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz but stressed that not all prerequisites have been met, and the legal basis still needs to be clarified.
Speaking at the Group of Seven (G7) summit of major industrialized nations, Merz did not answer a question about whether the United Nations mandate is absolutely necessary.
The key shipping route between The Gulf and the Arabian Sea has been at a virtual standstill since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran at the end of February.
"We are prepared, but we have not yet taken a decision," Merz said on the possible overseas deployment of the German armed forces.
In mid-April, he had pledged to provide a mine hunter and a supply ship to secure the important trade route once the Iran war comes to an end. Both ships are already in the eastern Mediterranean.
The final say rests with the lower house of the German parliament, or Bundestag, which must approve any armed overseas deployment of the German armed forces, even a "defensive" mission.
It is unclear when the Bundestag will vote on the deployment.
