Kaja Kallas refuses to extend EU naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz

Published 16/03/2026 – 22:03 UTC+1Updated 17/03/2026 – 8:17 UTC+1

Kaja Kallas, EU Foreign Policy Chief, stated on Monday that there was “no willingness” to extend the mandate of the EU Aspides naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz, despite growing calls for Europe to help secure the waterway and prevent major disruptions in global oil and LNG supply.

“The discussion focused on the fact that this mission (Aspides) should be strengthened since it lacks significant naval resources,” said Kaya Kallas during a press conference following a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels. “But the discussion on expanding this mandate to cover the Strait of Hormuz did not receive interest from member states.”

“Nobody wants to actively participate in this war,” she added.

Kaja Kallas spoke after the EU’s 27 foreign affairs ministers gathered in Brussels to discuss how Europe should respond to the impact of the conflict with Iran, which has caused what analysts describe as the biggest disruption in global oil supply history, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel, a first since 2022.

She made her remarks following U.S. President Donald Trump’s increased pressure on Europe to contribute to protecting the Strait of Hormuz, warning that NATO would face a “very bad future” if its members did not come to Washington’s aid.

Ministers also deliberated on the possibility of bolstering Operation Aspides, established in February 2024 as a defensive operation in response to Houthi attacks, backed by Iran, on international maritime transport.

Aspides aims to protect ships, preserve freedom of navigation, and monitor maritime activities in a vast area including the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf.

However, Donald Trump’s call on Monday did not sway EU countries, as they were unwilling to broaden Aspides’ mandates.

During the meeting, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul ruled out German involvement in the operation, while Romanian counterpart Oana-Silvia Toiu hinted that Bucharest did not want to engage in Aspides, focusing instead on naval capabilities in the Black Sea.

Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister, Xavier Bettel, echoed some of these reservations, emphasizing that the EU was not directly involved in the war.

“With satellites, communications, we are very happy to be helpful, but do not ask for troops and machines,” he told reporters before the “Foreign Affairs” Council.