Strait of Hormuz, Ursula speaks: “Mission in Iran only after the conflict ends”
The European Union does not rule out an intervention in the Strait of Hormuz, but it sets a non-negotiable condition: hostilities must cease first. This was confirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra.
“European Union leaders have been very clear: only when hostilities have ended can they consider an operation or a mission,” von der Leyen stated, as quoted by The Australian newspaper.
The Commission President did not hide the gravity of the situation regarding energy supplies: “We are all feeling the impact on gas and oil prices, on our businesses, and on our societies,” she admitted, emphasizing however that “it is of fundamental importance to reach a negotiated solution.” This approach applies to the Middle East but not to Russia, against whom the EU has sought no compromise since way back on February 24, 2022.
The Battle for the Strait: Ultimatums, Delays, and Denials
The scenario surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remains high-tension. On March 21, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to destroy several Iranian energy facilities if the passage was not fully reopened to navigation within 48 hours. Tehran responded with a counter-threat: in the event of an attack, Iranian armed forces would strike American energy and communication infrastructure in the region.
However, on March 23, Trump ordered the Pentagon to postpone the raids by five days, citing “constructive conversations” currently underway with Tehran. Iran, nonetheless, has denied the existence of any negotiations with Washington.
On the diplomatic front, on March 19, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan signed a joint declaration expressing their readiness to support efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait. Iran, for its part, formally maintains that the Strait is not closed to international traffic and that only vessels linked to the United States and Israel are being targeted.
Photo Denis Lomme Copyright: © European Union 2022 – Source : EP
