Germany ready to help reopen Strait of Hormuz
Moscow (ANTARA) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasised Berlin’s readiness to participate in ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, including through military efforts.
“In the right conditions, Germany is prepared to take part in ensuring freedom of navigation, including through military means,” Merz said after a meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in Berlin on Tuesday (5/5).
He then confirmed the initial deployment of a German Navy vessel to the Mediterranean Sea, which could subsequently be redeployed to the Strait of Hormuz.
“The first German vessel is already heading to the eastern Mediterranean,” Merz stated.
He also renewed his call for increased pressure through sanctions against Iran if the country refuses to open the Hormuz blockade.
“Our joint appeal is for Iran to sit at the negotiating table, to stop wasting time, and no longer to ‘hold hostage’ the region and the entire world,” Merz said.
The German Chancellor also demanded an end to Iran’s nuclear programme and the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East.
Among other demands to Tehran, Merz mentioned the cessation of any military nuclear programme and the end of hostilities in the Middle East region.
On the other hand, Iran has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear programme is peaceful and that Tehran has no intention of developing nuclear weapons.
German television station NDR reported on Monday (4/5) that the German Navy minesweeper FGS Fulda had left its base in Kiel, northern Germany, and was heading to the Mediterranean Sea, from where the vessel could then be redeployed to the Strait of Hormuz to take part in an international maritime security mission.
On 3 May, US President Donald Trump announced Project Freedom, an operation to assist vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and attempting to leave the area.
Commander of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff, Ali Abdollahi, subsequently warned Washington not to approach the strait and stated that Tehran was ready to attack US forces.
Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti