The SPD parliamentary group has outlined the conditions under which it would agree to sending German soldiers to the Strait of Hormuz. According to Adis Ahmetovic, the SPD’s foreign policy spokesperson, German soldiers will not be deployed unless there is a reliable ceasefire. Speaking to RTL and ntv on Friday, Ahmetovic stated, “I am not prepared, as a German parliamentarian, to send our parliamentary army, our soldiers, into a death trap”.
The focus, he explained, is now on the required preconditions. Ahmetovic detailed three specific points that must be met. First, a credible cessation of hostilities is necessary, which he noted must encompass an end to fighting in both Iran and Lebanon, as these two conflicts are interconnected. Second, there must be an international mandate, emphasizing that Germany would not act alone. Instead, the action requires the support of the United Nations or a unified front from European NATO partners. Lastly, the plan necessitates explicit approval from the Bundestag. Ahmetovic stressed the need for a mandate based on international law, stating that Germany’s role should be framed as safeguarding international waterways, not entering an offensive war. He concluded that only upon this basis is his SPD faction willing to support such a mandate and assume responsibility.
While acknowledging that the conflict is not solely German, he pointed out that the nation sees the consequences daily, citing impacts on fuel costs and food prices. He described the Strait of Hormuz as a vital artery, currently blocked, and stressed that safeguarding it requires collective action from the international community, rather than just Germany. He added that the United States must also be involved.
