German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas

The Berlin government has given the 'cold shoulder' to a Trump administration proposal to set up a military coalition in the Persian Gulf.

Iran Press/Europe: Stressing on the need to reduce tensions in the Persian Gulf, the German foreign ministry, in a statement confirmed that the country is in close consultation with its European allies, France and Britain, and has made no promises to the Trump administration.

According to an Iran Press report, the Trump administration has recently put forward a proposal to set up a naval task force in the Persian Gulf to counter what it calls the 'Iran threat' as tensions mount between Washington and Tehran.

The statement, quoting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, said: "In our opinion, priority must be given to reducing tensions [in the Persian Gulf], and to diplomatic efforts. We are in close consultations with France and the UK. Participation in the US strategy of 'maximum pressure' is ruled out for us."

On the same day, the German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said his country was working closely with France and Britain.

Scholz added: "The goal of all responsible politicians must be to observe the situation very soberly and carefully, and not to sleepwalk into an even bigger crisis. De-escalation is the order of the day."

Many German politicians have reportedly expressed grave reservations about any naval mission led by the United States, fearing that such a naval task force would only increase the risk of military aggression against Iran. 101/211/207

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