German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is traveling to Paris on Wednesday to participate in a high-level summit regarding the Macron-Starmer naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant recalibration of Berlin’s stance on the maritime security initiative.
The German government had initially rejected French proposals to establish a naval mission in the strategic waterway. Earlier this month, Berlin emphasized that, unlike Paris, it was not engaged in negotiations with Tehran. Norbert Röttgen, a foreign policy expert with the CDU, previously characterized the initiative led by French President Emmanuel Macron as a de facto acceptance of “Iranian dominance—military, legal, and therefore political.” Röttgen argued that such a concession was untenable for Germany, particularly given that “control over the Strait of Hormuz” would be “strategically decisive for victory or defeat” in the event of a conflict with Iran.
Reflecting this earlier resistance, reports indicated that Chancellor Merz had dispatched his foreign policy advisor, Günter Sautter, to Washington rather than Paris to coordinate maritime strategy.
However, Berlin has since executed a tactical shift. On April 9, Merz indicated that Germany would resume dialogue with Tehran. He further stated that the Federal Republic would be prepared to contribute to “ensuring free maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz” in the event of a peace agreement, provided there is a clear “mandate and a viable concept.” Merz noted that he had consulted with US President Donald Trump regarding this potential involvement.
Confirmation of Merz’s personal attendance at the April 17 Paris summit underscores this policy evolution. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also expected to attend the meeting, while representatives from several other nations are scheduled to participate via video conference.
According to government sources, Merz intends to offer specific German military assets to the mission, including minesweepers and maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Berlin is also reportedly considering granting the mission access to the Bundeswehr’s logistics base in Djibouti.
A German government official, cited by Politico, stated that the federal government is “ready to contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation,” noting that such assistance could specifically encompass “mine clearance or maritime reconnaissance activities.”
Following a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Berlin on Thursday, Merz reiterated his government’s position. The Chancellor emphasized that while Germany is “fundamentally ready” to secure maritime trade routes, any deployment remains subject to stringent conditions. These include a stable ceasefire, a collective security framework—preferably under a United Nations mandate—and formal approval from both the federal government and the Bundestag. Merz cautioned that Berlin remains “very far” from such a final decision.
A primary point of divergence remains the role of the United States. Unlike Paris, Berlin is a staunch advocate for US involvement. While German officials suggest Washington would not necessarily hold a “command function,” Berlin insists the US “must be present and involved in the process.”
According to the analytical outlet German Foreign Policy, this insistence reflects a long-standing trend in German foreign policy aimed at checking French influence within the European Union. The report suggests Berlin frequently prefers cooperation with the US over French-led initiatives that might grant Europe greater autonomy but also provide France with significant strategic advantages. Analysts point to Germany’s recent decision to purchase US-made F-35 fighter jets, rather than accelerating the development of the Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS), as a prime example of this preference.
The Hormuz mission, spearheaded by Emmanuel Macron with the support of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is structured into three distinct phases:
In the first stage, measures will be taken to ensure the safe transit of commercial vessels currently stranded in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. The second phase involves the clearance of naval mines that may have been deployed by Iran in the waterway. The final stage envisions a regular escort system for merchant ships provided by frigates and destroyers, aimed at restoring the confidence of crews, shipowners, and insurers to ensure the resumption of regular traffic.
While Paris has made it clear that it rejects the direct involvement of active combatants—specifically the US—in the operation, it maintains that the mission must be conducted in consultation with Iran to ensure safe passage. Furthermore, the naval operation is intended to commence only after a total cessation of hostilities in the region.