EU Ministers Weigh Naval Mission Expansion Amid Hormuz Closure

European Union foreign ministers gathered in Brussels on Monday to consider expanding the bloc's naval mission in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel, which has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy shipments.

The discussions centered on the Aspides mission, launched in February 2024 to safeguard commercial vessels from attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Currently, the operation includes one Italian frigate and one Greek vessel under direct command, with additional support available from a French ship and another Italian vessel. While some officials have floated the idea of redirecting Aspides toward the Strait of Hormuz to help restore navigation, diplomats indicated that an immediate expansion is unlikely. Instead, the meeting focused on efforts by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to secure more contributions from member states, such as additional ships.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world's oil and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas flows, has been largely inaccessible since late February. The disruption followed U.S. and...