Germany has no grounds to provide military protection for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the face of Iranian attacks, Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the German leader emphasized Berlin's commitment to a non-interventionist stance regarding the escalating regional tensions.
"Germany is not part of this war, and we do not want to be part of it," the Chancellor told reporters, clarifying the limits of Germany's naval commitments in the Middle East.
Furthermore, the German Chancellor criticized the administration of US President Donald Trump for its decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil loaded onto vessels. Merz expressed skepticism regarding the motivations behind the American policy shift.
"We believe this is a mistake. The current issue is not supply, but price. In this regard, I would like to know what other factors prompted the US government to make this decision," he noted.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most vital maritime chokepoints, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's total oil consumption passes. Tensions in the region have historically drawn international naval responses to ensure the freedom of navigation. Germany's refusal to participate militarily underscores a cautious foreign policy approach as the European Union navigates complex energy security challenges and shifting diplomatic relations with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
