Germany Says Iran War “Not NATO’s Fight”

Germany on Monday rejected suggestions that NATO should become involved in the conflict with Iran, stressing that the alliance’s mandate is limited to collective defense and does not apply to the current situation.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesman Stefan Kornelius said the ongoing war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran does not fall under NATO’s responsibilities.

“NATO is an alliance for the defence of territory,” Kornelius said during a government briefing, adding that the mandate to deploy NATO forces is lacking in the current circumstances.

The statement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump urged several countries—including South Korea, France, China and Britain—to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran declared the route closed to U.S. and allied vessels.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also emphasized that Berlin does not expect NATO to take responsibility for reopening the strategic waterway.

German Foreign Minister Wadephul said it is essential that Washington and Tel Aviv clarify their military goals.

It will be important that the United States and Israel clarify when they consider the military objectives of their operation to have been achieved. Here we need more clarity.

Germany, however, supports sanctions against those responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.

Wadephul warned that the Iranian government poses a serious risk not only to regional security but also to global trade and economic stability.

The Iranian regime poses a significant danger to its neighbors, to the entire region, to freedom of navigation and to global economic development.

He also highlighted that shipments through the Persian Gulf include fertilizers in addition to oil and gas, meaning disruptions could impact global food prices and food security.

Rising energy prices caused by instability in the region could also benefit Russia financially, Wadephul said.

Higher oil and gas prices increase Russia’s war revenues, which is why Germany and the European Union remain committed to maintaining energy sanctions against Moscow.

“Now is definitely the wrong path to loosen sanctions,” Wadephul said, stressing that Europe aims to further reduce Russia’s energy revenues