Europe is considering a military operation to open the Strait of Hormuz

European countries are considering a military operation to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

In the background are the President of the United States Donald Trump’s standard. Trump said Financial Timesillethat NATO countries face a “very bad future” if they do not join the US efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz. Trump demands “all necessary means” from allies, including European minesweepers and possibly special forces in the Persian Gulf.

According to Trump, the United States “helped Europe in Ukraine” and now it is being tested whether NATO allies will respond with support against Iran. Trump’s blackmail hits a sensitive spot, because it has been important for the EU that supporting Ukraine does not get sidetracked.

Now Europe is considering operations to open the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday in Brussels, EU foreign ministers assessed whether the Union could strengthen its participation as part of a possible international coalition, or whether the EU’s joint actions should focus on expanding the existing Aspides sea operation.

“It is in our interests to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and that is why we are discussing what we could do about it from the European side”, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kalla said as he arrived at the meeting.

Aspides is the EU’s maritime military operation in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. The operation was launched to protect commercial shipping from Houthi attacks off the coast of Yemen.

Kallas estimates that strengthening the Aspides operation can be done at the same time, even if the countries of the coalition of willing countries cooperate with the United States in other ways to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Kallas reminded that securing the Strait of Hormuz is not a matter within NATO’s competence, because the countries bordering the strait do not belong to the alliance.

“Not top priority”

Finland has world-class expertise in combating sea mines.

Kauppalehti asked the foreign minister From Elina Valton (kok), does Finland intend to participate in the coalition of willing countries to free shipping in the Strait of Hormuz?

“Finland works closely with its partners and allies also regarding this issue,” Valtonen answered.

However, he continued that Finland’s national capabilities are primarily used to secure NATO’s vital interests.

“We are already protecting a very long border against Russia, which is an immediate threat to NATO, and at the same time we are very dependent on maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea, which unfortunately has been increasingly challenged in recent months and years, so we coordinate closely with partners and allies. But at this stage this is not our number one priority,” Valtonen said.

Regarding the possible expansion of the EU’s Aspides operation, Valtonen stated that Finland is already involved in the operations of the operation, and now it is being assessed with partners and allies whether it should be expanded to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Foreign Minister, at this stage we will look at what the situation requires and what kind of capabilities would be available if it were decided to send them.

Putin benefits

Valtonen reminded that there is also a “hot war” going on in Europe, i.e. Russia’s four-year-long attack on Ukraine, which should be the number one priority.

According to Valtonen, support for Ukraine’s defense struggle must be continued, the 20th Russian sanctions package must be accepted and pressure on Russia must be increased.

Valtonen reminded that Finland has submitted a complete ban on sea transport services for Russian oil and gas products to the new Russian sanctions.

Some EU countries, on the other hand, would like to free Russian energy’s access to the EU, and so far no agreement has been reached on sanctions.

According to Valtonen, Putin benefits from the situation through the “massively” increased oil prices and because the world’s political attention is now focused on the Middle East instead of focusing on Russia’s war of aggression.

Valtonen said Putin is also likely to benefit from the fact that a broad escalation in the Middle East will require a lot of equipment for individual countries’ defense, especially air defense, which is bad news for Ukraine, which is trying to fend off Russian airstrikes.