Foreign ministers from the European Union are set to discuss strengthening their naval presence in the Middle East as tensions surrounding Iran disrupt global shipping routes. The talks in Brussels will focus on reinforcing the EU’s Operation Aspides, which was launched in 2024 to protect commercial vessels from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has intensified concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage that handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Since military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran in late February, traffic through the strait has been severely disrupted, prompting discussions on whether the EU mission could help restore safe navigation.

However, some European officials remain cautious about expanding the mission’s mandate. Johann Wadephul expressed scepticism about extending the operation to the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the current mission has not been fully effective in its existing role. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has urged major economies to work together to secure shipping routes, though any change to the EU mission would require approval from all 27 member states.

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