The European Union (EU) on Monday rejected US President Donald Trump’s demand to be part of the naval mission to open the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war between the United States and Israel against Iran.
Earlier, the US president warned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which mainly includes EU states, of serious consequences for not joining US military efforts to open the key global oil transportation 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 EU Aspides naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz, despite deepening energy crises caused by disruptions in the oil supply chain.
For context, Aspides is a defensive naval mission launched in February 2024 by the EU to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from 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 attacks on the economy has severely impacted the global oil trade and the global oil economy, with prices soaring above $100 per barrel.
Iran has warned that oil prices could rise as high as $200 a barrel and vows to continue fighting a long war with the United States and Israel.
