Germany Refuses to Endorse US Attack on Iran and Reluctant to Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany would advise the United States against attacking Iran if consulted beforehand. Berlin still has many questions regarding the strategy behind the campaign launched by the US and Israel on 28 February, Merz told the lower house of parliament, or Bundestag, in Berlin. “Up to today, there is no convincing plan on how this operation could succeed,” he said. “Washington did not consult us and does not consider European assistance necessary,” said Merz, who has sharpened his rhetoric in recent days after initially failing to condemn the US-Israel attack, which occurred during ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. “Ladies and gentlemen, we would advise against taking this action in the way it has been done,” said Merz. Merz also reaffirmed his refusal to send German warships to the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump called on NATO allies to help protect commercial shipping in the narrow waterway from Iranian attacks, which have caused global oil prices to surge. (Aljazeera/P-3) A member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the PKB faction, Syamsu Rizal, supports President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to evaluate Indonesia’s membership in the Board of Peace after the US and Israel attacked Iran. The DPR has asked the government to guarantee the safety of all Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in the Middle East following the US and Israel’s attack on Iran. Member of Commission I of the DPR RI, Amelia Anggraini, reminded the government that the US-Israel attack on Iran has triggered escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Pentagon officials provided a closed briefing to senior congressional staff in the United States (US) regarding the military operation against Iran today. FIFA stated it will continue to monitor developments in the situation in Iran following the military action carried out by the United States. The statement was made a few hours after US President Donald Trump criticised NATO countries. Donald Trump stated that the US does not need allied assistance to secure the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed military success against Iran despite the threat of blockade to the world’s oil supply. French President Emmanuel Macron denied Donald Trump’s claims. France confirmed it will not send warships to the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran-US-Israel war in 2026. The US Navy is retiring a minesweeper ship amid Iranian threats in the Strait of Hormuz. See the comparison of US vs China maritime power here. SAS cancelled over 130 flights in Norway due to a surge in aviation fuel prices impacted by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Labour unions highlight staffing issues amid the energy crisis.