Germany sends a minesweeper to the Mediterranean in anticipation of a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz
A minesweeper of the German navy left for the Mediterranean Sea on Monday, where it will remain until a decision is made regarding the participation in a possible international mission to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, announced the German Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius, according to the EFE news agency, quoted by Agerpres.
The ship “Fulda, which is a minesweeper, should at this moment be on its way to the Mediterranean”, from where it could continue its mission in the Strait of Hormuz in the event of “the achievement of a ceasefire, a lasting armistice or an international legal framework” that would facilitate Germany's participation in such a mission, the German minister said in a statement.
The German minesweeper will arrive in about two weeks in the Mediterranean Sea, where it will join the Standing NATO Mine Counter-measures Group – SNMCMG-2, pending new orders.
This type of ship, which has a crew of 40-45 members, moves slowly due to its technical characteristics, therefore its dispatch to the Mediterranean area is intended to buy time in case Germany later decides to participate in a peacekeeping mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
But the German defense minister has already warned that there are two preconditions for Berlin's participation in such an operation, namely the complete cessation of hostilities and the existence of a mandate from the parliament.
American President Donald Trump announced on Sunday operation “Project Freedom”through which the US Navy will “guide” commercial ships blocked in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, after Iran closed this corridor following the war launched against it by the US and Israel.
Trump also threatened Iran that any interference in this operation “will be met with force.” The United States mobilized over 100 aircraft, destroyers, drones and about 15,000 soldiers for “Project Freedom”.
