Germany expands assets it could provide to a Hormuz mission

Germany is ready to supply further equipment and personnel for a potential international mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

So far, Berlin had pledged to send the minehunter Fulda and a supply vessel if German forces were to participate in such a mission, which would have to be approved by the Bundestag.

In the update, the ministry said that “autonomous mine countermeasures systems, mine divers and specialist forces to protect ships, as well as high-ranking German staff officers within the mission’s command structure” could also be deployed.

The ministry reiterated a number of conditions set by Berlin before joining any mission in the Strait of Hormuz, which has become a flashpoint in the war in Iran.

The German demands include an end to hostilities, a clear mandate for a mission based on international law as well as the backing of German lawmakers.