Berlin, Germany. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told lawmakers he doubted the rationale behind the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and said Germany would not join efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz while the war continues.
Germany rejects participation in Hormuz deployment
Merz said he agreed Iran must not be allowed to pose a threat to its neighbours but questioned the operational plan behind the conflict. He told lawmakers on Wednesday: “To this day, there is no convincing plan for how this operation could succeed. Washington has not consulted us and did not say European assistance was necessary.”
Merz added: “We would have advised against pursuing this course of action as it has been pursued. Therefore, we have declared that as long as the war continues, we will not participate in ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, for example, by military means.”
European leaders rule out direct involvement
European leaders have rejected direct involvement in U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, citing concerns about being drawn into an unpredictable conflict whose aims they do not fully understand and which is unpopular with their own citizens.
Merz’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday: “This is not our war, we have not started it.” French President Emmanuel Macron also said: “We are not party to the conflict.”
Transatlantic strains and Trump response
European leaders have weighed the benefits of staying on the sidelines against risks to transatlantic ties that are already strained, including disputes over the war in Ukraine and tariffs.
The article said Europeans have been wary that angering Trump could affect U.S. support on Ukraine or lead to pressure on Kyiv to accept a deal favouring Moscow. It also cited concerns about the NATO alliance, including Trump’s earlier comments about taking Greenland from NATO member Denmark.
Trump gave no indication he planned to punish NATO allies but said they had made a “very foolish mistake” in failing to join U.S. military operations in Iran.
How do you think Europe’s refusal to join the Hormuz mission could affect its relationship with the United States?
