EU weighs expanding Aspides mission for demining Strait of Hormuz

The European Union’s diplomatic service has proposed expanding the mandate of its naval mission, the European External Action Service, to give it a leading role in clearing naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a document seen by Reuters.

In a note dated May 26 and circulated to EU member states, the service said “the situation requires the Union to provide a meaningful contribution” to an ad hoc coalition led by France and the United Kingdom. The initiative is intended to be “materialised once conditions allow and separated from the belligerents”.

The proposal envisages assigning the EU’s maritime security mission, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, a central operational role.

“It is proposed that, when conditions allow, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES be tasked with undertaking the primary role in mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz as the EU’s contribution to the FR-UK ad hoc Coalition’s efforts,” the note said.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, and any effort to ensure safe navigation there is closely tied to global energy security and trade flows.

However, any change to the mandate of the Aspides mission would require unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states. It remains unclear whether there is sufficient political backing within the bloc to endorse such a move.

By Tamilla Hasanova