Germany Deploys Vessels to the Red Sea For Possible Hormuz Mission Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. June 18, 2026 © Adobe Stock/Wojciech Wrzesień Germany is deploying two ships to the Red Sea in preparation for a possible military mission in the Strait of Hormuz, Germany's defence minister, Boris Pistorius, said on Thursday. Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a deal with Iran to end a war that has disrupted global energy supplies,  shipping  and insurance industry officials called for the urgent deployment of mine-clearing vessels to the strait. "As we speak, our minesweeper Fulda and the supply ship Mosel are sailing through the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea," Pistorius told reporters as he arrived for a meeting with his NATO counterparts in Brussels. Pistorius, who did not give a timeframe, said approval would be needed from Iran and Oman before any participation in a minesweeping operation, adding that any mission would also depend on the developments in talks between Iran and the United States. Ensuring the strait is cleared of mines could delay a return to normal  shipping traffic by weeks,  shipping  and maritime security sources have told Reuters. Germany is also sending underwater drones, mine divers and vessel protection teams. While France and Britain have been pushing plans for a multinational naval mission, diplomats say Iran has signalled strong opposition to any foreign military presence in the waterway and could seek to impose transit fees on  shipping  — a red line for European powers. Greek government officials have said that Athens stands ready to send assets to support de-mining efforts but government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said on Thursday there had been no concrete decision at an operational level. Sheila Cameron, CEO of the Lloyd’s Market Association, said the threat of mines remained a significant barrier to the resumption of trade in the region. "Ongoing monitoring of the seaways is required