March 26, 2026 — German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the war in Iran as an economic “catastrophe” and said Berlin stood ready to help “secure any peace,” including operations to protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, if a ceasefire were to be agreed.
Speaking in Australia during a visit to the Indo-Pacific region, Pistorius said Germany had not been consulted before the conflict began and did not want to be drawn into it. “Nobody asked us before. It’s not our war, and, therefore, we don’t want to get sucked into that war,” he said. Still, he added, if a ceasefire were reached Germany would discuss “every kind of operation to secure the peace and especially the freedom of navigation in the Hormuz Strait,” though he gave no operational details.
The comments come amid a flurry of diplomatic and military developments on the 26th day of the US-Israel campaign against Iran.
Military and security developments
– Israel said an airstrike killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy, along with senior naval officers. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike targeted the man “directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz.” Israel has announced the deaths of several senior Iranian figures since the start of joint US-Israeli operations, naming among them top security officials.
– Iranian missile strikes have continued to hit Israel. Israeli emergency services reported several people lightly injured after air defences intercepted missiles; blasts and sirens were reported across central Israel, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.
– An incident in Abu Dhabi left two dead when debris from intercepted ballistic missile fragments fell on populated areas; three others were reported injured.
– Reports that Russia was sending a shipment of drones to Iran were published by the Financial Times and other outlets. Western intelligence sources cited by the FT said deliveries were being processed and expected to be completed by month’s end. The Kremlin dismissed the report as “lies.” Other reporting suggested Moscow had provided Iran with drone-related know-how and satellite imagery in recent months.
Diplomacy and mediation
– Pakistan said it was relaying messages between the United States and Iran as part of indirect contacts aimed at easing tensions. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the US had shared a 15-point proposal with Iran via Pakistan and that countries including Turkey and Egypt were supporting the initiative.
– Tehran publicly rejected US proposals. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television that Iran did not plan to negotiate with the United States and described “talking of negotiations now” as an admission of defeat. Iran also issued its own counterproposal via state media, outlining conditions including an end to hostilities and Iranian sovereignty claims over the Strait of Hormuz.
– US President Donald Trump said Iran was engaged in talks and accused NATO allies of failing to provide support for US and Israeli efforts. He posted that “NATO nations have done absolutely nothing” and warned they should “never forget” the moment.
– Reuters reported that Pakistan had asked Israel to remove certain Iranian officials from target lists, and that Israel had stood down on potential strikes against figures including Iran’s foreign minister and parliamentary speaker after Islamabad and the US intervened. DW could not independently verify the claim.
Operational tempo and strategy
– The New York Times and other outlets reported that Israel had accelerated strikes in a bid to damage Iran’s military and arms industry before any potential peace talks could limit their options. Officials said the aim was to degrade missile and nuclear-related capabilities and to achieve strategic objectives before negotiations could impose constraints.
– Observers note a pattern of intense rhetoric followed by last-minute extensions or pauses in deadlines from the US, a cycle that has influenced markets and fuelled speculation about negotiation postures. Trump had threatened strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within a short window, then extended the deadline as indirect contacts emerged.
Wider effects and domestic impacts
– The conflict’s economic fallout is becoming visible worldwide. The US Postal Service announced it would seek a temporary 8% increase on some mail and parcel deliveries to offset rising transportation fuel costs if approved by regulators. Delivery firms have been adjusting surcharges in response to fuel price volatility driven in part by Middle East tensions.
– Australia implemented a six-month temporary ban preventing some visitors from Iran entering the country, citing a higher risk that travellers could be unable or unwilling to leave because of the war.
– Analysis of military spending underscores stark differences in scale between the parties involved and highlights the broader financial burden the conflict is placing on governments.
Context
The war has strained regional stability, disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — a vital artery for global oil shipments — and drawn international concern about escalation. Germany’s statement underscores a growing international push to prepare for and, if possible, protect the conditions for any negotiated pause or ceasefire, particularly maritime security, while stopping short of joining the fighting.