Germany blames US president for Strait of Hormuz crisis
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has directly blamed US President Donald Trump for the escalating crisis in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and shipping traffic.
Speaking to German public broadcaster ARD, Pistorius used a striking metaphor, saying Trump had “pushed the cork into the Strait of Hormuz,” adding that Germany now has an interest in “getting it out again” to restore safe maritime passage through the region.
Despite the strong criticism, Pistorius emphasized that any potential German military deployment (*Bundeswehr* mission) to secure shipping lanes would require approval from neighboring states, particularly Iran and Oman. He stressed that cooperation from regional actors remains a key condition for any operation.
The German government has repeatedly highlighted the importance of maintaining free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, given its role as one of the world’s most important energy transit routes. However, officials acknowledge that the situation remains highly unstable and diplomatically sensitive.
Pistorius also warned that parliamentary approval from the Bundestag for any Bundeswehr mission is unlikely to happen quickly. He said it is still unclear whether lawmakers will vote on the issue before the upcoming summer recess, as key diplomatic negotiations continue.
He added that uncertainty around US-Iran talks in Switzerland and the need for an international mandate make the timeline even more complicated. While a decision before the summer break would be preferable, he stressed that the final authority rests with the Bundestag, and no decision has yet been finalized.