The chairman of the Bundestag Defence Committee, Thomas Röwekamp (CDU), suggested expanding the EU’s existing “Aspides” mission during a debate about a military deployment in the Strait of Hormuz to protect international shipping.
“The Strait of Hormuz is already covered by the EU mandate Aspides, even though the mission’s focus has so far been the southern Red Sea” Röwekamp told the “Rheinische Post” on Wednesday. He argued that Iran’s attacks on civilian merchant vessels and the threat to block the waterway are both illegal under maritime and international law.
He clarified that Germany does not intend to join the military confrontation between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. Instead, the mandate is purely defensive, aimed at safeguarding shipping and upholding international law, which aligns with German and European interests. “That must stay the way it is” he said. “Germany will not get involved in the war” he added.
Röwekamp called for a discussion with European partners about how the regional extension of the existing mission to the Strait of Hormuz could be incorporated into Aspides. He suggested that Germany could continue to contribute staff officers and the planning of maritime and air situation reports. While naval units currently engaged in other operations cannot be deployed, they should remain available for future needs.