Germany prepares for mission in the Strait of Hormuz

The minesweeper Fulda has set sail from the Kiel-Wik naval base on the Baltic Sea bound for the Mediterranean where it will initially be integrated into a NATO mine countermeasures group. Its highly specialized equipment for tracking down and destroying sea mines could lend significant support to NATO's anti-mining operations, should Germany's conditions for participating in an international operation in the Strait of Hormuz be met, and the Fulda would be in a more convenient position.

Since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran on February 28, the regime in the Iranian capital Tehran is suspected to have used mines to keep commercial ships from passing through one of the world's most important trade routes. The blockade has sent oil and liquefied natural gas prices soaring on the global market.

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On several occasions, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Germany is prepared to help secure a peace agreement — but only after the Iran war has ended. On Sunday evening, Merz reiterated this on German television, telling a talkshow host that he had personally assured US President Donald Trump of this: "During my last visit and also in our phone calls, I repeatedly told him that this war is now having a significant impact on us, that we would like to see it ended — and that we are also offering assistance."

The German navy has extensive experience in clearing mines. Since the end of World War II, it has continued to remove old munitions, especially from the Baltic Sea. Ten minesweeper ships, equipped with modern drones and specially trained mine divers, have established Germany's reputation as an international leader in a field where few others operate. Within NATO, expertise in mine clearance is seen as a rare and valuable skill.

German parliament will make final decision

As with any armed deployment of the German armed forces abroad, a naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz could only take place under the circumstances outlined in Germany's Basic Law and by the rulings of the country's highest court, the Federal Constitutional Court. First, the mission would have to be part of a "system of collective security," such as the United Nations, the NATO defensive alliance or the European Union.

Secondly, the German parliament would have to be informed about the overseas deployment and debate and ultimately approve the  mandate, specifying the exact mission of the Bundeswehr, as well as the military assets deployed, the theatre of operations, the total number of troops and the duration of the mission.

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German Navy already stretched to capacity

Authorization of a mission by the German parliament could take days or even weeks and that is why the German Navy is already making preparations. To do so, it must reallocate its assets. "Everything we have is already deployed. This is particularly true for the minesweeper squadron," said Frigate Captain Inka von Puttkamer, commander of the 3rd Minesweeper Squadron, during a recent press conference at the Kiel Naval Base. "A new mission always comes at the expense of a previous one."

According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the German navy — already "the smallest navy in the history of the Federal Republic" — is currently involved in multiple missions for the European Union, NATO and the United Nations.

Von Puttkamer made it clear that the dangerous work in a minefield could only be carried out if adequate protection is provided. "Mine clearance units can only be deployed if threats from land and air can be ruled out. Just as a frigate cannot detect mines, a minesweeper cannot engage in aerial combat. That is why you will always see us operating alongside warships, such as frigates and corvettes." The new P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft could also play a role in such operations, she said.

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Pistorius says there will be no operation without the US

Pistorius emphasized that such a mission would only be possible in cooperation with partners — and specifically with the United States. They have "the best situational awareness in the region," said the defense minister. On German television in April, the politician from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) stated that "the Americans are the ones who — together with the Israelis — are waging this war, and that is why they are the ones with whom we must operate jointly when it comes to addressing its consequences."

It is unclear to what extent the Strait of Hormuz has been mined. As is when the most important requirement for a German military deployment will be met, namely a lasting end to the Iran war. At the moment, however, this does not appear likely as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have once again escalated.

This article was originally written in German.