Tensions continue to escalate between U.S. and Iran, which seized a British-flagged tanker in July 2019. To counter such action from Iran, the U.S. has formally asked Germany, France, and Britain to take part in efforts to secure maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Germany, however, has refused to take action in the Persian Gulf, saying it would not contribute to this U.S.-led naval mission in the region and would instead focus on de-escalation and diplomatic efforts. France has yet to respond to the request form the United States.
Germany receives most of its oil resources from Russia and other countries, thus Germany’s oil resources will not pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Unlike France and the U.K., Germany will be less affected by turmoil in the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, many opinions in the German parliament stand against taking part in any U.S. mission against Iran. The parliamentary group’s foreign affairs spokesman Nils Schmid worried that "We wouldn’t be able to pull out should the U.S. decide to escalate".
