Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) said Germany will help secure maritime trade routes in the Middle East. “Like the United States and other countries, we have an interest in having the trade routes in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea open again” the CDU politician told the Sunday newspapers of the Funke Media Group. “And we are, in principle, prepared to participate in securing those sea lanes”.
When asked whether he was referring to a Bundeswehr deployment, Wadephul clarified that the contribution would come “with a broader community of states, once the military conflict is settled and the legal prerequisites are in place”. He added that this is not yet the case.
Wadephul expects the United States to end its military operation against Iran soon. “From many conversations with the U.S. we get the impression that President Trump is not seriously considering a large, long‑term ground deployment” he said. “I already expect the U.S. to end its engagement not too far in the future once its military objectives are achieved”.
He noted that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pointed to the destruction of Iran’s nuclear capability, ballistic‑missile program and navy as objectives, but that a comprehensive regime change is not part of those aims.
Wadephul urged the U.S. government to provide an international‑law assessment of the war. “Washington is being asked to give us a clear explanation of its assessment” he said, adding that Germany expects such information after Easter.
The German Foreign Minister reminded that Iran has behaved contrary to international law for decades. “It has threatened Israel and destabilised states in the region through the militias of Hezbollah, the Houthi, and Hamas. It has advanced its nuclear programme in contravention of the Non‑Proliferation Treaty. It is also internationally responsible for terrorist attacks and related planning” he said. “This opens a discussion under international law that we want to deepen together”.
He stressed that it is in Germany’s interest to contain Iran and prevent it from becoming a greater danger to the international community. “Whether, how, and with what consequences a military approach might be taken is a matter for the United States and Israel” he said. Summarising, he quoted Friedrich Merz, who had said that if they had been asked, they wouldn’t have recommended taking action. “Now we strongly recommend pursuing a negotiated solution” Wadephul concluded.