The European Union has given a resounding ‘slam the door on Donald Trump in his plans to involve a good part of the West in his war against Iran. The high representative of the EU, Kaja Kallas, has argued that “This is not Europe’s war“to justify the refusal of the ‘Twenty-Seven’ to send frigates on a mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The ‘no’ came this Monday after a morning meeting of the foreign ministers in Brussels, where the refusal to answer Trump’s ‘call’why “no one wants to actively participate in this war; our priority is détente and freedom of navigation“, in the words of the head of European diplomacy.
The president of the United States has tried to unblock the Strait of Hormuza key sea route for transporting oil, in a context of crude oil inflation crisis.
In this regard, Trump has shown his anger due to the lack of support and, true to its style, threatens future important decisions. “Some are very enthusiastic, some are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years. We have protected them from terrible external sources and they are not so enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me,” he told the press at the White House.
‘Aspides’ is not played
The ‘Twenty-Seven’ believe that it is not viable at this moment and are betting on a diplomatic route that Trump seems to deplore in his relations with Iran. In fact, ministers have ruled out another possibility considered in the EUto expand and modify the European naval mission ‘Aspides’which currently protects the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.
This is a non-executive mission within the framework of the EU Common Security and Defense Policy, created in February 2024 with a defensive nature and in response to the appellants Piracy attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against international maritime traffic from October 2023.
In this regard, the Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albaresrejected the option because the European ship already has “the correct mandate” and “perfectly fulfilling its functions at this time.” ““We must not do anything that will add even more tension” in the region and has indicated that Spain’s position is to advocate “diplomacy.” “The purely military solution never brings democracy, stability, or economic prosperity,” he added.
The Italian head, Antonio Tajani, assured that operation ‘Aspides’ cannot be expanded because it is an “anti-piracy” mission and what is happening with the blockade of Iran is a “different” reality. “As far as Hormuz is concerned, I think diplomatic channels must prevail. An additional diplomatic effort must be made to guarantee freedom of navigation in Hormuz,” added Giorgia Meloni’s minister and former president of the European Parliament.
