Middle East
Navy vessel is seen sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the world's oil and gas passes, on March 1, 2026. File photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany and France have indicated they may take part in efforts to secure maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as US and Iran tensions in the region remain high following weeks of conflict and disruption to global shipping.
In response to Rudaw on Monday, the press office of Germany's Operational Command stated that “Iran must not continue to threaten international maritime traffic and must also refrain from further attacks on Israel and the Gulf states," adding that Berlin "will contribute in an appropriate manner to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
"We have made some decisions, but it is not final, this is just the beginning. We are still far from an agreement," it added.
France, meanwhile, stressed that its military posture in the region remains adaptable and that any Hormuz mission is still in development.
“Our deployment in the Middle East is responsive and flexible, which means it is constantly adapting to the threat level and developments on the ground,” the communications office of the French Joint Staff told Rudaw.
The new remarks from the two European countries come amid renewed tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire was announced.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, has been largely closed since Tehran restricted passage early in the conflict that began on February 28 following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.
On a potential initiative in the Strait, the French office added: “The planning phase is progressing, with the common goal of promoting maritime navigation safety in this strategic area."
It also added that the initiative is based on "a strictly defensive strategy. It represents a genuine commitment to peace and regional stability.”
On Monday, Iran vowed retaliation after US President Donald Trump said US forces had taken custody of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, deepening tensions ahead of the upcoming negotiations and the fragile ceasefire due to expire on Wednesday.
Tehran’s response came after Trump said Sunday US forces had taken custody of the vessel, stating, “We have full custody of the ship, and we are seeing what's on board.”
To safeguard shipping in the Strait, around 40 countries, led by France and the United Kingdom, are discussing measures to form a coalition, though no final framework has been announced.
Niyaz Mustafa contributed to this report from Erbil, Kurdistan Region.
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