Giorgos Gerapetritis, Greece’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Johan Wandeufel affirmed that Greece and Germany would not participate in military operations against Iran, nor would they deploy naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard maritime navigation.
The statement confirmed Athens’ and Berlin’s alignment against a US request for military assistance to ensure free passage through the Strait. Gerapetritis urged Iran to guarantee safe navigation, highlighting the problem of trapped ships in the strategic waterway. He stated that Greece’s priority remained the safety of personnel. Wandeufel emphasised that delays in reopening the Strait could have dramatic consequences for the global economy, affecting energy supplies and food security.
Greece is already present in the region through its participation in the “Shields” mission, which focuses on the Red Sea and surrounding waters, alongside Italy and recently France. However, the mission does not have a mandate to cover free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Greek Foreign Ministry sources noted that the US had underestimated the closure’s potential impact. Current efforts focus on avoiding targeting Greek ships in the area.
Both ministers rejected any military involvement by their countries in the conflict against Iran. Wandeufel cited Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stating that “this is not our war, it is not NATO’s war.” He also noted that Cyprus and Greece lie within the range of Iran’s ballistic missiles but reassured that Germany would provide full support, particularly to Cyprus under EU treaty provisions and additional German assistance if requested.
Gerapetritis also held a closed meeting at the Bertelsmann Stiftung think tank with political and economic stakeholders, discussing Greece’s geopolitical position. He met with Christian Democrat Armin Laschet, chair of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee, and CDU MP Thomas Rachel, head of the German-Greek parliamentary friendship group, reflecting a “very satisfactory level” in Greek-German relations.
The ministers additionally highlighted Greece’s upcoming EU Presidency in the second half of 2027. With German support, Greece intends to advance the accession of Western Balkan countries to the EU, ending a 23-year waiting period.
greekcitytimes.com.
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