During a press event in Berlin, German politician Merz emphasized that any mission would require a preliminary ceasefire, an international mandate, and approval from the Bundestag, conditions that remain unmet. French President Macron and British Prime Minister Starmer have convened discussions aimed at establishing a multilateral, purely defensive mission to restore safe navigation through the strait, pending improved security conditions. This information was reported on April 16, 2026, by Deutschlandfunk.