Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed Germany's commitment to a mine clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, hours after Defence Minister Boris Pistorius cast doubt on German participation.
"Our readiness continues to be there," Wadephul said at a meeting with Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno in Buenos Aires. Germany was awaiting for clarification on the preconditions from discussions between the United States and Iran, he added.
On Monday, Wadephul told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington that Germany was prepared for the operation in the strait, through which much of the world's oil, liquefied natural gas and fertilizer pass.
"The preconditions for deploying our units there must be in place," he said with respect to the security environment. This concerned Iran and Oman, Wadephul said.
He added that he and Rubio were in agreement on this. The outcome of talks in Doha should be awaited, Wadephul said.
Pistorius: German minesweepers won't wait forever
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin earlier on Wednesday, Pistorius indicated that he could recall two German naval vessels despatched to Djibouti in readiness for mine clearing in the strait.
"They will not wait forever," Pistorius said, adding that he could not see the preconditions for the operation being met in the foreseeable future.
Germany sent the minesweeper Fulda and the supply ship Mosel to the region in mid-June in preparation for demining operations.
