On Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his country was prepared to supply mine clearance and maritime reconnaissance to help secure the Strait of Hormuz . "We could provide mine-clearance vessels — we are good at that," Merz said, adding that a "sound legal basis" would be needed for such an intervention. His announcement followed consultations with fellow European leaders on a potential multinational mission to secure the strait after the war. The same day, Iran's top diplomat Abbas