Europe unwilling to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz

Several US allies have said they do not currently plan to send naval vessels to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The statements came in response to a call by US President Donald Trump for countries to help secure the strategic waterway.

Trump appealed for allied support after Iran responded to US–Israeli strikes with drones, missiles and mines. According to Washington, the attacks effectively closed the strait to tankers, which normally carry about one fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Spain and Italy are among the countries that have so far refused to take part in a potential mission in the Persian Gulf. Britain and Denmark said they would consider ways of providing assistance but at the same time stressed the need to de-escalate the conflict and avoid being drawn into war.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said sending military ships into a war zone could be seen as direct involvement in the conflict. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said that even if NATO were to agree on a mission in the Persian Gulf, developing an operational framework would take time.

The European Union is also discussing a possible expansion of the mandate of the Aspides naval mission. It currently protects merchant vessels in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. According to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, officials are considering whether the mandate could also be extended to cover the Strait of Hormuz.

(Reuters, Max)