Iran war keeps oil prices over $100 with Strait of Hormuz paralyzed despite Trump’s demands
The European Union is seeking more strategic clarity on the United States and Israel’s plans for Iran and when the conflict could end, as the bloc weighs whether to send ships to help boost security in the Persian Gulf.
Without confirming any specific international commitments, President Trump said in a social media post on Saturday that “many countries, particularly those affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships, working with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and secure.”
He added that “I hope China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and others” will send warships to join a potential effort to escort ships through the strait, which experts say would be necessary first. demand a further deterioration of Iran’s offensive capabilities.
“It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and that is why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard on the European side,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc in Brussels.
Kallas said the EU could expand its Operation Aspides naval mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf, or it could form a “coalition of the willing” with member countries providing military capabilities on an ad hoc basis.
France said it was working with other countries on a possible international mission to escort the ships through the strait, but stressed that this should be done when “circumstances permit” when fighting has calmed.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said it was important for the United States and Israel to define “when they consider the military objectives of their deployment to have been achieved,” adding: “We need more clarity here.”
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said the EU was still not committing to any military action.
“The fact is that, at the moment, the EU is not directly part of the situation. So we have to decide whether we are going to be part of it or not. This is an important decision,” Bettel said.
CBS/AP
