EU NATO Members Reject Trump's Hormuz Plan
European NATO members have refused to participate in President Donald Trump’s initiative to block the Strait of Hormuz. Britain and France have stressed that they will not be involved in the operation and instead favour a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran.
Trump announced that the US military would begin blocking shipping bound for Iranian ports after the collapse of weekend negotiations. Officials later clarified that the measure would apply only to ships travelling to or from Iran.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that his country would not be drawn into war. At the same time, European allies have underlined the importance of the strait, through which around a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed the creation of a multinational mission to safeguard navigation that would be strictly defensive and independent of the conflict.
Several states have indicated that they would be willing to assist only once the fighting has permanently ended. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed the need for a diplomatic solution and pointed to the complexity of establishing an international force.