Chairman of the German Bundestag’s Defence Committee, Thomas Röwekamp (CDU), said that it is conceivable for the German Navy to participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz. He told the news channel „Welt” that the Bundeswehr has already proven in the Red Sea that the German Navy can carry out such operations. “The freedom of the seas is an internationally recognised right. We defend that freedom, for example, as part of our EU mission Aspides in the Red Sea” he explained.
Because of this, requiring that the Strait of Hormuz remain open for civilian shipping is understandable and justified. Röwekamp added that the German government would need to coordinate closely with its partners to determine whether and, if so, which military measures could be used to enforce this international right on the ground.
He stressed, however, that any deployment of German ships would only be feasible within an international context. First, it would need agreement with European partners, and only proceed on the basis of an international mission. The Bundeswehr has demonstrated its ability to secure maritime lanes and trade worldwide, and Röwekamp believes the same can be achieved in the Hormuz region.