Europe Will not Deploy Naval Forces in Strait of Hormuz
Following a Brussels meeting of EU foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that member states "have no desire to actively engage in military actions against Iran" and stressed that Europe “has no interest in an open-ended war.” While reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to maritime security, she noted there is limited appetite to expand existing operations, such as Operation Aspides in the Red Sea, to the Strait of Hormuz.
"Nobody wants to go actively in this war," Kallas said, highlighting that Europe’s priorities remain protecting freedom of navigation and intensifying diplomatic efforts.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed this stance, noting that EU naval missions—focused on escorting merchant ships and anti-piracy efforts—are not designed for operations in the Strait of Hormuz. "We are willing to strengthen these missions," he said, "But I don’t think they can be expanded to include the Strait of Hormuz."
Germany also rejected the idea of deploying forces to the Gulf. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Berlin “will not do so” and called for a swift political resolution. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius added that any deployment outside NATO’s area would require legal approval and parliamentary consent, emphasizing: "It is not our war; we did not start it. We want a diplomatic solution and a swift end to the conflict."
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