Ahead of the EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday that Germany will not participate in the international military operation to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as Trump has been demanding NATO allies do.
His comments came during an interview with the ARD public broadcaster’s program “Report from Berlin,” and his position directly reflected previous statements by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, noted Mandiner.
Earlier today, Pistorius stated outright: “What does Trump expect a handful of European frigates to do that the powerful US Navy cannot? This is not our war, and we did not start it.”
🇩🇪🔴JUST IN: Germany rejects Trump's call to aid in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“What does Trump expect a handful of European frigates to do that the powerful US Navy cannot? This is not our war, and we did not start it.”
– German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. pic.twitter.com/CdDPbrb5Lt
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) March 16, 2026“We will not participate in this conflict,” Wadephul stressed. Noting that he hears from Israel and the United States that the goal is to destroy Iran’s military capabilities, especially with regard to its nuclear and missile programs.
“And now we are waiting for them to notify us, to involve us, when that happens. And then we will be very happy to participate in the negotiations,” he said, adding that the security of the Strait of Hormuz can only be ensured if there is a negotiated settlement and the Iranians are also consulted on this.
Donald Trump has floated the idea of involving several countries in a military mission to secure shipping through the strait, which is vital to global oil shipments. The latter has virtually ground to a halt following the outbreak of the Iran conflict, leading to a significant increase in oil prices. Regarding the European Union’s Operation Aspides in the Red Sea, launched in February 2024, he said that it has so far been ineffective.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with MS NOW that all countries are free to pass, just not the U.S. or Israel. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also stated to press, “No coastal state in such a situation can allow enemy ships and vessels to move normally to strengthen themselves or carry out aggressive actions,” according to IranIntnl. Baghaei also noted that Iran is concerned about false flag ops in the States, since D.C. has been saying Iranian drones can reach the West Coast, which, he said, is simply not possible.
“That’s why I’m very skeptical that extending Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz would result in more security. We will now discuss all this with the greatest calm,” Wadephul added, referring to today’s meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Trump has also come under direct attack from Germany’s right-wing AfD party. Co-leader Tino Chrupalla has said openly that he is very disappointed in the U.S. president and fears he has brought about a third world war.
Before the meeting, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas told press: “Now, it is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and that is why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard, from the European side.” Kallas also said that ongoing communication with D.C. is “volatile.”
