Gate News message, April 16 — Germany is prepared to participate in a potential Hormuz Strait security operation, provided certain preconditions are met, according to German officials. The country has offered to contribute minesweeping and maritime reconnaissance capabilities. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to present this proposal at a meeting scheduled for April 17 in Paris, which will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with additional Gulf-region supporters joining via video.

Merz is expected to reiterate Germany's preconditions for participation, which include the cessation of hostile actions, the launch of international peacekeeping operations, preferably with UN authorization, and approval from the German Bundestag.