EU top diplomats to discuss reinforcing Mideast naval mission

2026-03-16 - 08:06

European Union foreign ministers are scheduled to meet today (Monday) to discuss strengthening a small naval mission in the Middle East, although it is unlikely that its mandate will be extended to the Strait of Hormuz, which remains blocked amid rising tensions with Iran. The EU mission, Aspides, was launched in 2024 to protect commercial ships from attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Currently, the mission includes Italian and Greek ships under direct command, with additional support available from another Italian vessel and a French ship, according to dw.com. An unnamed senior EU official told Reuters: “The conversation on Monday will be about trying to have more member states contribute further capacities.” Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has been urging countries most affected by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global oil shipments—to help reopen it. Despite increasingly forceful appeals, little progress has been achieved so far. An EU diplomat noted: “Protecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz in the current situation is a decision that won’t be taken lightly by ministers.” But according to ksl.com, theEU officials and diplomats said ministers’ discussions on Monday in Brussels would likely focus on a push by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to add more ships to the mission. “The conversation will be about trying to have more member states contribute further capacities,” said a senior EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday that Aspides — named after the Greek word for “shields” — was not even effective in carrying out its current task.