European Union Explores Options to Keep Key Shipping Route Open During Middle East War

The European Union is considering military action to maintain access through the Strait of Hormuz as ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States disrupts global shipping. EU officials are weighing expanding their existing naval mission or forming a coalition to protect vessels navigating the critical waterway.

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders announced Monday they are exploring ways to maintain access through the Strait of Hormuz as the three-week conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to drive up global energy and commodity costs.

Speaking before a gathering of foreign ministers from the 27-member alliance in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the importance of keeping the waterway accessible. “It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and that’s why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard from the European side,” Kallas stated.

President Donald Trump has reached out to international partners including France, China, Japan, South Korea and Britain, requesting assistance in securing the strait for worldwide maritime commerce.

According to Kallas, the EU is considering two primary approaches: extending their existing Aspides naval operation from the Red Sea into the Persian Gulf, or establishing a voluntary alliance where member countries would provide military resources as needed.

The conflict, which began with February 28 airstrikes conducted by Israel and the United States, has caused global energy costs to surge, with Brent crude oil prices climbing more than 40%. Beyond petroleum, the war has disrupted international supply networks, impacting Indian pharmaceuticals, Asian semiconductors, and Middle Eastern oil-based products including fertilizers.

Maritime vessels are either stranded in the Gulf or taking significantly longer routes around Africa’s southern coast. Aircraft transporting goods from Middle Eastern locations remain grounded. Extended fighting increases the likelihood of product shortages and price hikes across numerous sectors.

French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated his country is collaborating with European, Indian and Asian allies on a potential international escort mission for ships traversing the strait, though he stressed such action must occur “when the circumstances permit” and fighting has decreased.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized the need for the United States and Israel to clarify “when they consider the military aims of their deployment to have been reached.” Speaking before joining his EU counterparts in Brussels, he added, “we need more clarity here” from both nations.

Wadephul also characterized the Iranian government as presenting a serious threat to regional stability, shipping freedom and the global economy, stating “this danger definitely must not continue.” He expressed support for sanctions targeting those responsible for blocking the strait, though he provided no additional specifics.

The German minister suggested that once U.S.-Israeli objectives become clear, discussions should focus on establishing “a security architecture for this whole region,” which would include dialogue with Iran.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel noted the EU has not committed to military involvement. “The fact is, for the moment, the EU is not directly part of the situation. So we need to decide if we are going to be part or not. That’s an important decision,” Bettel explained.

The Aspides mission was originally created to counter shipping attacks in the Red Sea by Somali pirates and Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthi rebels, who have not yet entered the current conflict. Saudi Aramco operates pipeline infrastructure that circumvents the Strait of Hormuz, delivering oil to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

“If we want to have security in this region, then it would be easiest to actually already use the operation that we have in the region and maybe change a bit,” Kallas explained. “There is also talk of coalition of the willing in this regard, but we also need to see what could be the fastest to provide this opening for the Strait of Hormuz, but of course, as you can see, it’s not easy.”

EU officials are concerned about a possible refugee crisis emerging from Iran if hostilities persist. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed this concern in a Sunday statement: “Although for now, the conflict has not translated into immediate migratory flows toward the EU, what the future holds remains unclear and necessitates the full mobilization of every migration diplomacy tool we have at our disposal.”