ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany and France have indicated they may take part in efforts to secure maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as US and Iran tensions in the region remain high following weeks of conflict and disruption to global shipping.
In response to Rudaw on Monday, the press office of Germany's Operational Command stated that “Iran must not continue to threaten international maritime traffic and must also refrain from further attacks on Israel and the Gulf states," adding that Berlin "will contribute in an appropriate manner to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
"We have made some decisions, but it is not final, this is just the beginning. We are still far from an agreement," it added.
France, meanwhile, stressed that its military posture in the region remains adaptable and that any Hormuz mission is still in development.
“Our deployment in the Middle East is responsive and flexible, which means it is constantly adapting to the threat level and developments on the ground,” the communications office of the French Joint Staff told Rudaw.
The new remarks from the two European countries come amid renewed tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire was announced.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, has been largely closed since Tehran restricted passage early in the conflict that began on February 28 following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.