Germany's coalition parties are considering recalling two navy vessels from the Middle East as renewed fighting in the Iran conflict undermines prospects for their deployment. The minesweeper Fulda and supply ship Mosel have been waiting in Djibouti for a potential mine-clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on a durable ceasefire and Iranian consent.
Sara Nanni, defence spokesperson for the Greens, said she expects the crews to spend the summer in Germany, arguing it is unrealistic to keep the ships waiting indefinitely. Adis Ahmetovic, foreign policy spokesperson for the Social Democrats, called the ceasefire extremely fragile and said all options, including withdrawal, remain on the table.
Any armed deployment abroad requires Bundestag approval, and no workable mandate is expected before September. The deliberations follow President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, which further complicated the diplomatic landscape.