EU Defies US Pressure, Declines to Expand Naval Mission in Strait
European Union foreign ministers have collectively refused President Donald Trump's request to extend the Aspides naval mission from its current Red Sea operations into a new role protecting traffic through the strategically vital but currently volatile Strait of Hormuz.
Key Points
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1EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated there is currently no appetite to expand the EU's naval mission from the Red Sea/Aspides operation into the Strait of Hormuz.
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2European ministers are defying US President Donald Trump, who warned that NATO faces a 'very bad' future if members do not provide military aid in response to his pressure on protecting the strait.
Developments
EU foreign ministers refused to provide military support for US operations against Iran or secure the Strait of Hormuz because they did not start this war. Despite President Trump's threat that it would risk Europe's place in NATO unless nations assist, European countries stated there is no appetite to extend their defensive mission into offensive roles like firing on vessels near critical trade routes.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas stated in Brussels on Tuesday (2016) at a Foreign Affairs Council meeting. The ASPIDES naval operation protecting Red Sea shipping will remain restricted to that region for now, with no immediate extension planned into the Arabian Strait of Hormuz due to concerns over avoiding an open war and reducing tensions rather than escalating conflict risks