Merz's plan for securing the Straits of Hormuz. His key point, in antithesis to what Macron wants

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Thursday that he wants to discuss the participation of the United States in a possible mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, paralyzed by the war in the Middle East, while Paris wants it to be carried out with non-belligerent countries, reports AFP.

The German leader will participate in a video conference of heads of state in Paris on Friday, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to reflect on a “multilateral and purely defensive mission” in the strait, according to the Elysée Palace.

“The question of the participation of the US armed forces will be discussed tomorrow. There are good arguments for this, but we will discuss it tomorrow (Friday – no) in Paris,” Merz said at a press conference in Berlin.

However, the French president wants to implement this initiative without the US, with voluntary non-belligerent countries, notes Agerpres.

The purpose of this mission will be to accompany the reopening of the strait once the war is over.

Berlin is “in principle willing to participate in securing the crossings,” Friedrich Merz said.

But that requires “the end of hostilities, at least a provisional armistice,” as well as “a mandate (…) preferably of the United Nations” and the approval of the German government and the Bundestag, he stressed.

“Globally, we are still very far away,” he concluded.

According to a German government source, this Berlin contribution to an international mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz could focus on “demining or long-range maritime reconnaissance”.

Since the start of the war, launched by the US and Israel, Tehran has closed this crucial sea passage for international trade. Despite a fragile truce that came into effect on April 8, the situation remains tense and Washington has imposed a blockade on ships coming from or bound for Iranian ports since Monday.