Rob Schmitz

It was edited by Giselle Grayson and Adam Rainey.

Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigan.

It's Consider This from NPR.

I'm Rob Schmitz.

President Trump has called on NATO allies in Europe to protect the shipping lane, crucial to providing oil and gas to countries throughout the world.

But Stefan Cornelius, a spokesman for German Chancellor Friedrich Mahn, says the war has nothing to do with NATO and that for its part, Germany would not help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

NATO, said Cornelius, is a defensive alliance for its territory.

As the war enters its third week, Iran continues to maintain its stranglehold over the strait.

Germany's foreign minister also called on the U.S.

and Israel to, quote, clarify when they consider the military objectives of their operation to be achieved.

Rob Schmidt, NPR News, Berlin.

Did it with the Iraq war, both Iraq wars.

Are you saying we should avoid a vote because the country is not behind the war?

European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Kaya Khalid said the two sides discussed the significant damage drones and missiles from Iran have caused to civilian and petrochemical infrastructure in the Gulf.

Kala said the same type of drones attacking the Middle East have, for years, attacked Ukraine.

She said the EU is putting Gulf countries in touch with Ukraine's leadership to share notes on how to defend themselves from Iranian drone strikes.

Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Berlin.

Trump praised Merz as successful and popular, while Merz said he agreed with Trump that the, quote, terrible regime in Tehran must be overthrown.

Merz added that the conflict in the Middle East is hurting Europe's economy with rising oil and gas prices, and he said that's why he hopes the war will come to an end as soon as possible.

He also expressed an interest in discussing how to bring another war, Russia's war in Ukraine, to an end.