Press statement by the Chancellor at the conference on securing the Strait of Hormuz
Germany is prepared to make a contribution to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities have come to an end. This is what Chancellor Merz emphasised at a meeting in Paris. The Federal Government wants to help bring about a lasting end to the war.
1 min reading time
- Transcript of press conference
- Friday, 17 April 2026
According to Chancellor Merz in Paris, the first condition for German involvement in a military operation would be an end to the war — and a sound legal basis.
Photo: Federal Government/Laurin Schmid
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz with numerous heads of state and government in Paris. At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he took part in a conference there with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — and spoke afterwards of their broad consensus.
“We speak with one voice — for stability in the Middle East and a secure energy supply in Europe,” said the Chancellor on X. The opening of the Strait of Hormuz announced by Iran is “good news” and must be take place in full compliance with international maritime law and without imposing any restrictions.
The most important points in brief:
- Efforts for peace: “We want to help bring about a lasting end to this war as quickly as possible,” emphasised the Chancellor. The message is: Iran must end its nuclear programme. It must stop attacking Israel and the Gulf states and reopen the Strait of Hormuz reliably, permanently and without payments for freedom of navigation.
- Securing the Strait of Hormuz: the Federal Chancellor emphasised that Germany was prepared to make a contribution to securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. “Once hostilities have ended, this may include deploying the Federal Armed Forces as part of an international operation, as soon as there is a sound legal basis for doing so.” From the Federal Government’s perspective, such involvement could consist of mine clearance and maritime reconnaissance. “We can do that,” said the Chancellor in Paris.
- Situation in Lebanon: the Federal Government has welcomed the start of direct peace talks between Israel and Lebanon. “This is a historic opportunity that these two countries now have in their neighbourhood,” said Merz.
Read the transcript of the press conference here (in German only):