The United States formally asked Germany to partake in a British-proposed, European-led naval mission, to help secure maritime navigation in the Persian Gulf at large, and the strategic strait of Hormuz in particular.
The request was made by the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, after Paris and London have already voiced their commitment to “combat Iranian aggression.” In response, German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz voiced deep skepticism about Berlin’s intention to join the ‘naval military mission.’
Scholz told the German ZDF television network that it was imperative to avoid a military escalation in the region and that such a mission carries the risk of being dragged into an ever-bigger conflict. It is important to note, however, that Scholz’s statement is not necessarily aligned with the official position of the German government, which has yet to provide an official response.