The mining program was first reported by South German newspaper.
Merz reiterated his government’s position after meeting Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Berlin on Thursday. He stressed that Germany is “ready in principle” to help secure shipping lanes, but under strict conditions.
Those include a firm ceasefire, mandates within the collective security framework – “preferably” from the United Nations – and formal approval by the federal government and the Bundestag. Merz stressed that Berlin remains “far away” from such a decision.
The signal comes as a fragile cease-fire between the United States and Iran begins but has yet to fully stabilize the situation in the sea, where Iran blocked traffic and the United States responded by blocking Iranian ships.
US President Donald Trump has pushed NATO allies to act quickly, calling for a commitment “within days” following his meeting with the alliance’s Secretary General Mark Rutte in early April. However, the allies have been trying to get involved in any combat phase in the war started by Trump without consulting them.
