Germany will not participate in a U.S.-led naval mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, close to Iran, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday.
Stressing that Germany wants to avoid a further escalation of tensions in the region, Maas told reporters on a trip to Warsaw that there was no military solution.
"Germany will not take part in the sea mission presented and planned by the United States," said Maas.
Earlier Wednesday, Government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer said Germany continued to support diplomatic efforts to ease tensions that have risen sharply since US President Donald Trump last year withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal.
"The USA recently presented their concept for a Gulf maritime surveillance mission to several allies including Germany and asked for contributions," said Demmer.
"The German government is reluctant about the concrete US proposal and has therefore not offered a contribution, as the overall approach of our policy toward Iran differs significantly from the current US approach."
Berlin was seeking an emphasis on "diplomacy and de-escalation" and to save the nuclear deal, Demmer said, stressing that "participation in a US-led mission could complicate this issue, even as of course we share the goal of freedom of navigation".
Britain last week ordered its navy to escort UK-flagged ships in the strait in response to Iranian soldiers seizing a tanker in the flashpoint entrance to the Gulf.
Germany remained "in close coordination with France and Britain" on questions of maritime security, Demmer said, adding that Berlin believed the idea of a European naval mission was "worth considering".
Reuters
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.