Germany is preparing to deploy a naval minesweeper to the Mediterranean as part of a potential international mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz following the end of the U.S.-Iran war, the defence ministry said on Saturday.
A ministry spokeswoman confirmed that the German navy vessel Fulda will be sent “in the coming days” to support a possible multinational effort aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.
Several countries have indicated readiness to join what has been described as a ‘neutral’ mission to secure the strait. The United States said last week it had begun de-mining operations in coordination with Tehran, although Iranian authorities have not confirmed this.
The deployment is intended to make a “significant and visible contribution” to efforts to keep shipping lanes open, the spokeswoman said.
Minesweepers are specialised vessels designed to detect and neutralise naval mines.
The Fulda will operate with a crew of around 45 personnel. However, any deployment to the Strait of Hormuz itself will depend on “a lasting end to hostilities” and approval from the Bundestag.
The conflict began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli air strikes targeted Iran. In response, Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz—a key global energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes—triggering a spike in energy prices.
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are ongoing. U.S. and Iranian envoys have travelled to Islamabad for talks mediated by Pakistan, although the prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain.
