Germany has ruled out military involvement in the ongoing Iran war but said it could play a role in securing the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said during a visit to Australia.

“We do not want to be drawn into this war,” Pistorius said in Canberra on Thursday. “As long as the war continues, we will not get involved militarily.” He added that Germany could participate in an international mission with a clearly limited remit after a ceasefire or peace agreement. “After a ceasefire or peace, we can, of course, imagine and are prepared in principle to participate in an operation to secure the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” Pistorius said. The Bundeswehr could take on a role in securing one of the world’s most important trade routes after the end of hostilities, “but now is not the time to discuss that,” he added.

Pistorius met his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, in Canberra, where the two countries agreed to expand defence cooperation and simplify troop deployments. A troop status agreement will be developed to make the deployment of armed forces in each other’s territory more streamlined. The two countries also pledged to expand joint defence projects, including space-based early-warning systems designed to detect threats such as attacks on satellites by Russia or China.

Australia will assist in the development of Germany’s sensor-based system and plans to integrate missiles from German manufacturer TDW into its own production. Pistorius noted that recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have created shortages of military resources. “Our dependency was too one-sided,” he said, adding that Germany aims to diversify supply chains and involve more partners in defence projects.

The visit forms part of Germany’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Pistorius toured Japan, Singapore, and Australia, emphasizing the link between European and Indo-Pacific security. “Security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific are two sides of the same coin,” he said.

Germany has expanded its Bundeswehr presence in the region through naval missions, air force exercises, and joint training with local partners. German forces have participated in exercises such as Pitch Black 2026, aimed at increasing interoperability, safeguarding international rules, and protecting key trade routes and energy supplies.

The discussions between Germany and Australia reflect Berlin’s intention to diversify its security partnerships and ensure it can respond to global crises without over-reliance on a single ally. Officials say the expanded cooperation with Australia will strengthen both countries’ ability to operate effectively in strategic regions while maintaining a cautious approach to ongoing conflicts.

British police said they were investigating a suspected arson attack as an antisemitic hate crime, after volunteer ambulances run by a Jewish organisation were set on fire in London on Monday.

The London Metropolitan Police confirmed that four Hatzalah ambulances, operated by the Jewish Community Ambulance Service, were deliberately set ablaze in the early hours of the morning. Multiple gas cylinders on the vehicles exploded, shattering windows in a nearby apartment block. Authorities evacuated residents from adjacent homes as a precaution, and no injuries were reported.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack as a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.” He expressed his support for the Jewish community, writing on X, “My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.”

Superintendent Sarah Jackson said police are reviewing CCTV footage and are aware of videos circulating online. “We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage,” she said. No arrests have been made. Officers remained on the scene to conduct urgent investigations and gather evidence.

The incident drew swift condemnation from local and national organisations. Shomrim, a nonprofit that operates a neighbourhood watch in the area, called the attack “not only a criminal act of arson, but a targeted and deeply concerning incident affecting a vital emergency service serving the local Jewish community.”

Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, said it is assisting police with the investigation. The group highlighted the seriousness of the attack, noting that targeting emergency services could endanger both the Jewish community and wider residents who rely on volunteer medical support.

Hatzola, the Jewish volunteer ambulance service, was established in 1979 and provides free medical transportation and emergency response across north London. Operated entirely by volunteers, the organisation plays a critical role in responding to urgent medical emergencies in densely populated neighbourhoods.

Authorities stressed that the investigation is ongoing and appealed for witnesses to come forward. Police urged anyone with information or footage from the area to assist in identifying the suspects. Superintendent Jackson added, “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.”

The arson attack has sparked concern across London, highlighting rising tensions and the vulnerability of community services. Officials emphasised that hate crimes against ethnic and religious communities are taken seriously, and authorities are committed to ensuring public safety while bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The attack comes amid growing scrutiny of antisemitic incidents in the UK, with advocacy groups calling for increased protection for both communities and the volunteer services that support them.

Rights groups said the trio, who included a teenager who had taken part in international wrestling competitions, were executed without a fair trial and had given confessions under torture.

Iran executed three men on Thursday who were accused of killing police officers during nationwide protests in January, raising fears among activists of a potential surge in hangings as the country faces war with Israel and the United States. The executions mark the first publicized hangings related to the nationwide demonstrations, which were met with a severe crackdown by Iranian authorities.

The men, Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi, and Saeed Davoudi, were hanged in the city of Qom, south of Tehran, after being convicted of waging war against God, a capital offense under Iran’s sharia known as moharebeh, according to the judiciary’s Mizan news agency. Authorities said the trio were involved in the killing of two police officers and carried out “operational actions” in favor of Israel and the United States.

Rights groups raised immediate concerns over the fairness of the trials. Saleh Mohammadi, a teenage wrestling champion who had competed internationally, was reportedly denied proper legal defense and forced to give confessions during fast-tracked proceedings, according to Amnesty International. Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said the three men were “sentenced to death following an unfair trial, based on confessions obtained under torture,” noting that Mohammadi had just turned 19.

Legal affairs monitor Dadban added that the men were “deprived of effective access to independent counsel and the right to defense,” arguing that under such circumstances, the death penalty amounts to “extrajudicial killing.”

The hangings come a day after the execution of Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national accused of spying for Israel, which drew condemnation from Stockholm and the European Union. That execution was the first publicly announced since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, escalating a conflict that has spread across the Middle East.

Activists warned that Iran could use such executions to intimidate citizens. “We are deeply concerned about the risk of mass executions of protesters and political prisoners in the shadow of war,” said Iran Human Rights. “These executions are carried out to spread fear in society, as the Islamic Republic knows that the main threat to its survival comes from the Iranian people demanding fundamental change.”

The January protests initially erupted over rising living costs and quickly evolved into nationwide anti-government demonstrations, peaking on 8–9 January. Rights groups estimate that thousands of protesters were killed in the crackdown, with the Human Rights Activists News Agency recording over 7,000 deaths, while Tehran acknowledges more than 3,000 fatalities, including security personnel and civilians.

Hundreds of individuals are still facing charges connected to the protests that could carry the death penalty. Iran remains one of the world’s most prolific executioners, with at least 1,500 people hanged last year alone, according to Iran Human Rights.