“There are good arguments in favor of it,” Merz said at a press conference in Berlin with regard to a joint European and U.S. effort.
This puts Merz on a potential collision course with Macron, who has been sharper in criticizing the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. While France has said it would not partake in U.S. military operations, the country has deployed an aircraft carrier and other vessels to help defend regional allies in the Gulf.
“We won’t enter into a coalition with the U.S. and I don’t think Germany will either,” said the French presidency official, who was granted anonymity for protocol reasons.
While the Europeans attempt to agree on a plan for securing the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials are depicting the initiative as an empty exercise, claiming the U.S. can do the job on its own.
“The United States Navy has more than enough resources and assets to secure the strait itself and does not need help from any other country,” White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said Thursday.
Germany on Thursday signaled a willingness to deploy minesweepers to secure the strait, but only under strict conditions. German officials say they would participate in such a mission only if there is a stable ceasefire, an international mandate “preferably” from the U.N., and formal approval by the Bundestag. Merz underscored that Berlin remains “far away” from such a decision.