The European Union (EU) on Monday rejected US President Donald Trump’s request to participate in the naval mission to open the Strait of Hormuz, amid the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.
Earlier, the US president warned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which mainly includes EU states, of the serious consequences of its refusal to join US military efforts to open the main global oil transport route, which has been closed by Iran.
Following Trump’s threats, EU foreign ministers met in Brussels and decided not to join Washington’s military campaign.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the bloc had “no desire” to change the mandate of the European Aspides naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz, despite worsening energy crises caused by oil supply chain disruptions.
As a reminder, Aspides is a defensive naval mission launched in February 2024 by the EU to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden against Houthi attacks.
Kallas said: “No one wants to actively participate in this war,” after a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states in Brussels.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following joint US-Israeli military strikes on the economy has had serious repercussions on global oil trade and the global oil economy, with prices surpassing $100 per barrel.
Iran has warned that oil prices could reach $200 a barrel and vowed to continue a long war against the United States and Israel.
