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.

Details of the Mission

Pistorius told reporters that 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.

Germany is also sending underwater drones, mine divers and vessel protection teams. 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.

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. Jakob Larsen, chief safety & security officer with shipping association BIMCO, said credible assurances from both sides of the conflict must be given before traffic can fully return to pre-conflict levels.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.