Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany has sufficient oil and gas supplies, but global shortages have led his government to do everything possible diplomatically to open the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports.

“We still have … enough oil and gas supplies. Relatively little of the supply for Europe passes through the Strait of Hormuz. The majority comes from other sources,” he tells a town hall event in the northern town of Salzwedel.

“Nevertheless, the shortages on the global markets are, of course, also an important signal for price developments here. Therefore, everything is aimed, including my own efforts, at making every possible contribution to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.”