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Germany will soon send a minesweeper to the Mediterranean for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz after the end of the U.S.-Iran war, a Defense Ministry spokesperson said Saturday.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also announced plans to deploy naval units to the Mediterranean in preparation for a possible mission to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The German navy vessel “Fulda” is expected to be deployed “in the coming days,” the spokeswoman told Agence France-Presse (AFP), as Berlin signals readiness to take part in efforts to secure the strategic waterway.
Pistorius said Germany would relocate a minesweeper to the Mediterranean and support it with a command and supply ship.
“In order to be able to provide support in the Strait of Hormuz, we will temporarily reduce our involvement elsewhere in a way that makes sense and is coordinated with our partners,” he said.
The spokeswoman said the deployment is intended to make a “significant and visible contribution” to an international coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Several countries have indicated they are prepared to join a “neutral” mission to secure the strait.
The U.S. said last week it was working to de-mine the waterway together with Tehran, although Iranian authorities have not confirmed this.
Minesweepers are specialized naval vessels designed to detect and neutralize sea mines.
The Fulda will operate with a crew of about 45 personnel, according to the ministry.
However, any deployment to the Strait of Hormuz will only take place after “a lasting end in hostilities” and following approval from the lower house of Germany’s parliament.
The war in Iran began on Feb. 28 with airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel.
In response, the Iranian military effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which about one-fifth of global oil shipments typically pass.
The closure contributed to rising energy prices amid concerns over global supply disruptions.
There were prospects of new negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over a possible end to the war taking place this weekend in Pakistan.
Both sides have sent envoys to Islamabad as diplomatic efforts continue.
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