Germany Sends Ships to Red Sea Ahead of Possible Strait of Hormuz Mission

Germany has deployed two naval vessels to the Red Sea as preparations continue for a possible international mission to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday.

The German Navy’s minesweeper Fulda and supply ship Mosel are sailing through the Suez Canal toward the Red Sea, Pistorius told reporters during a NATO meeting in Brussels.

The move comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran aimed at ending a conflict that had disrupted global energy supplies, shipping routes and insurance markets.

Officials in the shipping industry have warned that sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz remain a major threat and could delay the full return of normal maritime traffic.

Germany said it is also deploying underwater drones, mine-clearing divers and ship protection teams. However, Pistorius said any operation would require approval from Iran and Oman and would depend on the outcome of ongoing talks between Iran and the United States.

France and Britain have been pushing for a multinational naval force to help remove mines from the strategic waterway, but diplomats say Iran has opposed foreign military presence in the area.

Greek officials also said Athens is ready to support demining efforts, though no final operational decision has been made.

Maritime security experts warned that removing mines and restoring confidence among ship operators could take weeks before traffic returns to normal levels.

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