IRIA News

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Germany has moved two naval vessels toward Djibouti as part of preparations for a possible multinational mine-clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed on June 18, 2026.

Speaking at the meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Pistorius said the German Navy’s mine-clearing vessel Fulda and supply ship Mosel had successfully passed through the Suez Canal and were heading to Djibouti. The ships are expected to arrive within five to seven days, where they will undergo refueling and resupply operations.

According to the German Ministry of Defense, approximately 140 military personnel are deployed aboard the vessels. The contingent includes mine-clearance divers, force protection teams, and operators of autonomous systems.

The two ships are currently operating under the European Union’s Operation Aspides, a naval mission launched to protect commercial shipping in response to attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.

During their transit through the Red Sea, the German vessels will contribute to the mission’s maritime surveillance and situational awareness efforts. German officials said the deployment supports broader EU efforts to safeguard shipping routes that remain vulnerable to regional instability.

Parliamentary Approval Required

Despite the deployment, German participation in a mine-clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz has not yet been approved.

Pistorius emphasized that any operational mission in the strategically important waterway would require authorization from the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament. The Ministry of Defense plans to submit a proposal before lawmakers begin their summer recess on July 10.

German officials have also outlined several conditions that would need to be met before any deployment could proceed. These include a durable end to hostilities involving Iran, the existence of an international mandate, and a security environment that allows mine-clearing operations to be conducted safely.

Pistorius stressed the importance of what he described as a “permissive environment,” including the consent of both Iran and Oman for any mine-clearance activities in the region.

The German defense minister welcomed the recently negotiated ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a positive development. However, he noted that decisions regarding a possible German mission would largely depend on the outcome of diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran over the next two months.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, with a significant portion of global oil and gas shipments passing through the narrow waterway. Any disruption to navigation there can have immediate consequences for international energy markets and global trade.

Multinational Force Taking Shape

Planning for a multinational naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz has been underway for several months. The initiative is being led by the United Kingdom and France and includes a broad coalition of participating countries.

As of May, the group included Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden.

The proposed mission has been presented as a defensive effort aimed at reassuring commercial shipping and ensuring freedom of navigation through the waterway.

Earlier this week, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement welcoming the ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. The four countries reaffirmed their commitment to what they described as a “strictly defensive and independent mission” focused on protecting commercial vessels and conducting mine-clearance operations if required.

Iran Remains Opposed to Foreign Naval Presence

Despite growing European support for the initiative, Iran has repeatedly expressed opposition to the deployment of foreign warships in the region.

In May, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that any European naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz, even for mine-clearing and shipping protection purposes, could face a strong response from Iranian forces.

Iranian officials have argued that security in the strait should remain the responsibility of regional states. Gharibabadi stated at the time that the Strait of Hormuz was not a shared asset for outside powers and emphasized Iran’s sovereign rights as one of the littoral states bordering the waterway.

The differing positions highlight the diplomatic and security challenges facing the proposed multinational mission. While European governments view mine-clearing preparations as a precautionary measure to protect international shipping, Tehran continues to view the presence of foreign naval forces near its coastline with suspicion.

For now, Germany’s deployment to Djibouti appears to be a preparatory step rather than a final commitment. Whether the vessels ultimately move into the Strait of Hormuz will depend on parliamentary approval in Berlin, ongoing diplomatic negotiations with Iran, and broader international efforts to maintain stability in one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.