France and the UK are discussing a possible defensive naval mission to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with other countries this week.
According to the Reuters news agency, the plan is for a multinational operation to restore freedom of navigation after the end of hostilities. The “Wall Street Journal” also reports on corresponding plans, in which Germany is mentioned as a possible important partner.
This is not yet a formally agreed EU mission. Initially, talks coordinated by Paris and London have been confirmed. According to Reuters, the initiative is to be explicitly defensive and organized separately from the warring parties Israel, the USA and Iran.
London does not want to support “Trump blockade”
The British government had previously emphasized that it did not support the blockade of the strait announced by US President Trump. Prime Minister Starmer told the BBC that all diplomatic, political and military measures were aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump had announced a blockade of ships calling at or departing from Iranian ports. The aim is to prevent Iran from receiving fees from shipping companies for passing through the strait.
According to the statement, several tasks are possible: firstly, the support of moored merchant ships, then the securing or clearing of possible mined sea areas and, in a further step, the military escort of civilian traffic.
If Germany were to participate in the planned mission, such a deployment would be politically and legally sensitive. If the Bundeswehr were to be involved in an armed mission abroad, the approval of the Bundestag would be required in principle. The Federal Ministry of Defense also points out that armed deployments of the Bundeswehr abroad require parliamentary approval. The EU operation “Aspides” in the Red Sea is seen as a possible role model. The mandate of the mission, which serves to protect merchant shipping, was extended in February until February 28, 2027.
