European Union foreign ministers are set to discuss extending the bloc’s naval mission Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz at a meeting in Brussels on Monday, according to a person familiar with the matter.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed that the issue is being discussed, but voiced scepticism about the operation and Germany’s participation.
Aspides is an EU naval operation launched in the Red Sea in response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in February 2024.
Pressure from Washington is growing on European and Asian partners to help secure the key oil transit route, after energy prices surged following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Over the weekend, US President Donald Trump urged the United Kingdom, France, China and Japan to deploy vessels to the area to protect oil shipments.
Around 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran announced last week that it would block the waterway in retaliation for the strikes, and has since attacked several vessels in the area.
Speaking to German public broadcaster ARD on Sunday, Wadephul confirmed that a possible extension of Aspides is under discussion at European level, but ruled out German participation.
He said he did not see an immediate need for such an operation and called on the United States and Israel to provide clarity about their objectives in the war on Iran.
His comments echo criticism from Europeans who argue the US has not shared enough information on the war, its timeline or goals.
US energy secretary Chris Wright said Sunday that the war against Iran would “likely” end in a few weeks. Washington’s efforts to alleviate fears in the energy market have done little to stop oil prices from soaring above $100 a barrel, sparking concerns about inflation and weaker growth.
