European nations have ruled out sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump's threats that NATO faces 'a very bad future' if members fail to help reopen the vital waterway. Germany, Italy, and the UK have all distanced themselves from military involvement, emphasising diplomatic solutions instead.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany would not participate in any military activity to reopen the strait, adding that 'bombing [Iran] into submission is, in all likelihood, not the right approach.' Defence Minister Boris Pistorius questioned what European frigates could achieve that the US Navy could not alone.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would not be 'drawn into the wider war' but was working on a 'viable plan' to reopen the strait, though he did not rule out any form of action if agreed by many partners. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that 'diplomacy needs to prevail' and ruled out extending existing naval missions to the area.
Australia, France, and Japan also have no plans to send warships. EU foreign ministers decided against changing the mandate of their Red Sea mission, Operation Aspides, to include the Strait of Hormuz. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted there was 'no appetite' for such a change.
Trump had called on allies to help secure the strait, which carried about a fifth of the world's oil until its effective closure by Iran. He expressed dissatisfaction with the UK but expected eventual involvement. The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran 16 days ago, escalating into a wider regional conflict that has driven up energy prices.
