Germany has announced that its navy will deploy a minesweeper ship to the Mediterranean in preparation for a possible future operation in the Strait of Hormuz, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, The Caspian Post reports, citing Al Jazeera.

According to Pistorius, the minesweeper would be sent alongside a command and supply vessel, though he did not specify when the ships would depart.

He added that several conditions must be met before any deployment could take place, including a sustained ceasefire between the United States and Iran, a clear legal framework under international law, and approval from Germany’s Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for not participating in US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Pistorius also highlighted Germany’s naval expertise in mine clearance, noting that the country traditionally plays a leading role within NATO in this area.