The British government wants to participate in the US-led naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Thus, the German idea to organize a common European observer mission is in question,.
Two different ideas collide: U.S. President Donald Trump wants to protect merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, if necessary, with violence against Attacks; who wants to participate.
The German government in Berlin thinks, however, to a common observer mission of the European Union. Navy ships would collect ships, information on the hazard of trade, and their captains give. The military would not intervene.
The Federal government is strictly against Trumps Mission, because it keeps the policy of “maximum pressure” was too dangerous, and promotes, instead, for the EU-observer mission. The Problem: Even in this non-military Form it would be in Germany probably has constitutional problems, if not all, EU agree to States. Berlin can’t count but not necessarily. And even if, it would take a long time to convince all the EU governments.
London creates facts
In the meantime, the British government has created facts. The Still-member of the EU, the UK now joins the U.S.-led military mission “Sentinel” (guard), and sends first of two warships in the waters around the Strait of Hormuz.
London under the new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is also in this respect is demonstrative of the EU and stands to the side of Trumps. The British foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has justified the decision with the lack of time. It is crucial that the international Maritime transport “without delay” would be secured.
UK secure foreign Ministers Raab: motorways of the sea “without delay”
The Commissioner of the SPD parliamentary leader Rolf Mützenich believes this decision to highly dangerous. Deutsche Welle, he said: “the participation of The British armed forces at the American Mission, Sentinel will exacerbate the already at breaking point tense Situation in the Region. In this atmosphere of mutual threats, upgrades and Paranoia is the European role under additional pressure.”
London holds on to the agreement
The UK has not defeated but on the American side. The difference is Trump to hold in London as the international nuclear agreement that will prevent Iran to build nuclear bombs.
The British foreign Secretary, Raab said: “We want to continue to work with Iran and our international partners to de-escalate the Situation and to get the nuclear deal.” Mützenich doubted, however, that “the previous Attempts to cooperation and dialogue in Tehran, to be interpreted still positive”.
The Federal government is trying in the meantime, other EU-to convince governments of their concept, and also the British. But not only it is doubtful whether all EU-play States, but also on whether the German Navy would have the capacity.
“Small the Navy was never”
A spokesman said the Navy would be able to afford “all the requirements”. Hans-Peter Bartels, the defence Commissioner of the Bundestag, but warned in the Newspapers of the Funke media group: “Less than now the Navy has never been.” You have far less than the necessary 15 frigates.
German frigate “Hessen”: “Less than now the Navy has never been” (military officer Bartels)
Of internal policy, the Federal government would have all the parties in the Bundestag except the left party is basically on your side. The Deputy FDP Chairman Alexander Graf Lambsdorff sees no contrast to the U.S.-led Mission, both could run partnership in parallel.
Sevim Dagdelen, the Vice-Chairman of the left party rejects the project out of hand: “no Matter under what flag, the Left issued plans for a military deployment of German soldiers in the Persian Gulf, a rejection.”
The CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter from the language chosen for a “in demand capable of development of the EU monitoring mission”. Deutsche Welle, he said: “Europe’s credibility is massively on the game. Free trade and safe transportation routes belong to the higher-level security policy interests of Germany.”
Moscow Ideas
The Hamburg-based peace researcher Hans-Georg Ehrhart believes that the Europeans are in any case dependent on the Americans: “In the end, even these seemingly independent European Mission would be, ultimately, the Americans protected,” said Ehrhart in the SWR.
SPD politician Mützenich: British participation in the “Sentinel” further exacerbated the Situation
Very cautious, Russia acts in this crisis. The basic attitude of the Kremlin, President Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, formulated recently: “The freedom of the ship traffic in the Persian Gulf and in the Strait of Hormuz, it must unconditionally be ensured.”
The last statements by the Iranian Navy commander, allegedly planned joint naval provided, however, exercises with Russia in the Indian ocean, and possibly in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a stir.
The Kremlin has not commented so far on this. At the end of July, Russia presented a concept paper for the security in the Persian Gulf, the UN security Council. One of the Moscow ideas: countries outside the Region should refrain from using their armed kidney forces there permanently stationed.
In the long run the Russian proposes, the Ministry of foreign Affairs, the establishment of a safety organization, the States of the Region, but also Russia, China, USA, EU and India, for example, as an observer, should belong to.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has intensified, meanwhile, once again the sound. A military confrontation with Iran would be the “mother of all wars”, he threatened in a televised speech. On the other hand, Rouhani showed willingness for dialogue with Washington if the United States, “aufhöben all sanctions”.