Foreign Minister wants Iran to pay for possible mine-clearing operation

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul asserts that Iran should be held financially responsible for any mine-clearing operations conducted in the Strait of Hormuz. Wadephul argued that Tehran must bear the costs as the operations would address damage caused by the Iranian regime's actions.

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Iran has unlawfully mined an international shipping lane.

"Iran has unlawfully mined an international shipping lane," Wadephul told the "Handelsblatt." While Germany does not plan to charge fees for a potential mine-clearing mission by European states, Wadephul maintained that such a charge would be fundamentally justified. The extent of Germany's involvement in a mine-clearing operation remains undecided, with a decision anticipated this summer. This decision is contingent on the progress of peace negotiations between Iran and the United States, as well as requiring approval from the Bundestag.

The conflict in the Persian Gulf is expected to be a central topic at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, alongside the war in Ukraine. Wadephul used the occasion to criticize the frequency of such summits, suggesting that the packed schedules of world leaders make them less effective. He proposed that meetings should be scheduled based on the availability of substantial issues for discussion rather than a fixed annual cycle.

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One must consider whether all summits are needed at this frequency.

Wadephul also reiterated Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. He expressed hope that the NATO summit would send a unified signal, potentially paving the way for peace talks. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit. Wadephul emphasized that Russia must recognize that negotiations are the only viable path forward, and that Europeans are prepared to facilitate such a process, seeing it as the most promising approach.

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Russia must recognize that negotiations are the only viable path forward.