Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) announced that Germany intends to play a role in securing maritime trade routes in the Middle East. “We, like the United States and others, have an interest in reopening the shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea” the CDU politician told the paper outlets of the Funke Media Group. “And of course we are fundamentally willing to contribute to the protection of these sea routes”.
When asked whether he was referring to a Bundeswehr deployment, Wadephul explained that the contribution would involve a broader community of states once the military conflict is resolved and the necessary legal prerequisites are in place. “We are, unfortunately, still not there yet” he said.
Wadephul expects the United States to end its military action against Iran soon. “From numerous conversations with the U.S. we do not have the impression that President Trump seriously considers a large‑scale, long‑term ground deployment” he said. “I already anticipate that the U.S. will end its operations in the not‑too-distant future after achieving its military objectives”.
He cited U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s stated goals: the elimination of Iran’s nuclear capability, ballistic‑missile program, and navy. “A comprehensive regime change is not part of that” Wadephul added.
Wadephul urged the U.S. government to present a legal assessment of the war. “Washington is asked to give us a fuller explanation of its evaluation” he said. “We expect this information after Easter”.
The German Foreign Minister highlighted Iran’s repeated violations of international law over decades. “Iran has threatened Israel and destabilised states in the region through the militias of Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas. It has advanced its nuclear programme in contravention of the Non‑Proliferation Treaty” he said. “It is also internationally responsible for terrorist attacks and related planning”. This, he said, forms the basis of a legal discussion that Germany seeks to deepen together with other partners.
He concluded that it is in Germany’s interest to restrain Iran and prevent it from becoming a greater danger to the international community. “Whether and how to carry out military action, and what the consequences would be, remains with the U.S. and Israel. That is a decision for them” Wadephul said. “Friedrich Merz said that had we been asked before, we would not have recommended it. Now we strongly recommend pursuing a negotiated solution”.
