Germany Says Iran Should Pay for Strait of Hormuz Mine Clearance

BERLIN, Jul 6: Germany has said Iran should ultimately bear the cost of clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Tehran of unlawfully mining one of the world's most important international shipping routes.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made the remarks in an interview with the Handelsblatt newspaper on Monday when asked whether European countries might offer Iran financial incentives to secure its approval for an international mine-clearing mission.

"We do not need to offer Tehran anything at all; quite the contrary: Iran has unlawfully mined an international shipping lane," Wadephul said.

He added that while Europe would not seek payment during any immediate mine-clearing operation, Iran should eventually cover the costs because the mission would be repairing damage allegedly caused by the Iranian regime.

"In principle, it would be justified, and Iran ought to foot the bill, since we would be remedying damage caused by the regime," he said.

Wadephul said Germany remains willing to participate in an international effort to restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed that any deployment of German military forces would require a clear legal mandate and political agreement.

He said it would become clearer later this summer whether Germany's armed forces, the Bundeswehr, could play a practical role in a mine-clearing operation, adding that such a mission would require a sufficiently secure environment.

The foreign minister also emphasized that any international operation would require the consent of the coastal states, particularly Oman and Iran, and would largely depend on the outcome of ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

Last month, Germany dispatched the minesweeper Fulda and the support vessel Mosel from the eastern Mediterranean toward the region as a preparatory measure. The ships transited the Suez Canal in mid-June and are currently anchored in Djibouti for resupply. However, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said last week he is considering recalling the two naval vessels.

Iran has consistently rejected any foreign military involvement in securing the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining that responsibility for the strategic waterway rests solely with the countries bordering it. Tehran has also warned extra-regional powers against deploying military forces in the area.