Europe Prepares Hormuz Naval Mission with 20 Countries, Macron Says

Europe is gearing up to launch a naval mission aimed at securing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transport. This move follows a recent agreement between Washington and Tehran, which has opened the door for European engagement after months of inaction.

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France is ready with 20 other countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France is prepared to lead the mission with the support of 20 other nations. The specifics of this European initiative are expected to be further deliberated at an upcoming summit of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels. A draft of the summit's conclusions indicates that EU countries and their partners will "make efforts" to guarantee navigational freedom, ensuring any agreement does not disrupt Hormuz's existing governance structure.

The European Union's objective is to return the Strait to its pre-conflict state, preventing Tehran from imposing tolls or restrictions. The EU also intends to contribute under its own banner. The draft conclusions highlight the potential role of the maritime defense operation Aspides in stabilizing the region and call for its reinforcement. However, the exact modalities and timelines for the European mission remain uncertain and contingent on national legislative processes.

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The European Council recalls the role of the maritime defense operation Aspides, underlines its potential contribution to the stabilization of the region and calls for its strengthening.

France and Great Britain, key players in the alliance, appear eager to proceed. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to host a summit with Paris, Warsaw, London, and Rome to discuss the post-G7 strategy, aiming for Bundestag approval before the summer break. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, however, has adopted a more cautious stance, suggesting that parliamentary authorization might not be immediately necessary and that there is a 60-day window following the U.S.-Iran agreement to determine the intervention's specifics. The European approach prioritizes diplomacy, a strategy that has already facilitated the safe passage of the Grimaldi ship 'Grande Torino,' which had been held in the Strait. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi guaranteed the vessel's secure departure.

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The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has guaranteed me the safe departure of the vessel.