EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas will propose changing the mandate of the Aspides mission, with officials saying it may need revision to address a bigger crisis along the Strait of Hormuz. The Aspides mission was established in February 2024 as a defensive operation following Houthi attacks on international shipping, with a mandate that includes protecting vessels, safeguarding freedom of navigation, and monitoring the maritime situation in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. The geopolitical context has intensified, as Tehran announced last week that it would block the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for strikes, and has since attacked several vessels in the area.
About 20% of the world's oil passes through this critical waterway, heightening the stakes for global trade. The goal of the meeting is to establish capabilities and coordinate under the EU umbrella, but a large European coalition to escort ships out of the Strait of Hormuz is not foreseen. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul ruled out German participation in an extended Aspides mission and called on the United States and Israel to clarify their objectives in the conflict with Iran.
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel stressed that the EU is not directly involved in the war, emphasizing the bloc's cautious stance. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump urged the UK, France, China, and Japan to deploy vessels to protect oil shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, and warned that NATO faces a very bad future if its members fail to come to Washington's aid. The US and Israel did not consult with European allies before launching an attack against Iran on February 28, highlighting coordination gaps.
The economic impact is severe, with oil prices soaring above $100 a barrel and the war triggering the largest disruption to global oil supplies in history. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the war against Iran would likely end in a few weeks, though the timeline for a decision on changing the Aspides mandate is uncertain. It is also unknown which EU countries support extending the mission or how the bloc will respond if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked.