Europe does not want the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to become a normal situation in which a country uses violence or geographical circumstances to control a crucial sea route. How can it counter it?
Because of the war in Iran, almost no cargo ship has been able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is important for global trade, for weeks. Now European countries have taken up the idea of creating an international naval mission to protect vessels. Military experts from 30 countries are working in London on the practical implementation of the operation.
What should the protective mission include?
The United Kingdom and France propose a “strictly defensive” an operation in which the emphasis is on protecting merchant ships from attacks. The proposal envisages that the mission will only begin when a lasting ceasefire is established or the war is over.
The task of this mission will be to react to attacks, but not to act offensively, former German Rear Admiral Jürgen Ehle explained to DW. In practice, this means protecting ships attacked by missiles, drones or scooters, and not carrying out attacks on Iranian military infrastructure or military units in Iran itself.
According to the expert, the operation will probably require frigates or destroyers with air defense systems, as well as drones that can detect and neutralize sea mines.
The role of Germany, France and Great Britain
Three countries - Germany, France and Great Britain - will most likely take on a large part of the military commitment. Germany has already declared its readiness to join with minesweepers and reconnaissance aircraft, if parliamentary approval is obtained. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has indicated that there must be certain legal prerequisites, for example in the form of a UN resolution. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius mentioned that a mine-clearing boat will soon head to the Mediterranean to be on standby.
France already has significant naval capabilities in the region, including eight warships, an aircraft carrier and two amphibious assault ships. Some of the forces located in the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea could be redirected to support the mission, said President Emmanuel Macron. Among them is the aircraft carrier “Charles de Gaulle“.
Great Britain has not yet specified its participation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said more than a dozen countries had expressed interest in helping with the operation, but did not say what London would provide. Britain has the most modern destroyers, but "their readiness and availability remain unclear," defense expert Ben Nemeth from King's College London told DW.
What are the risks for Europe?
At a time of heightened tensions in its own region, however, sending naval forces to the Persian Gulf could overwhelm European capabilities. Europe must take into account the threats from Russia, especially in the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic. "The Europeans need their navies to protect themselves, and they can no longer rely on the United States as much as they used to," warns Nemeth.
In addition, the Persian Gulf mission poses significant risks. Former Rear Admiral Ehle notes that "air defense capabilities cannot guarantee 100 percent security," especially in the event of large-scale drone attacks.
Can diplomacy provide stability?
Analysts largely agree that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be secured by a naval mission alone. "Only a diplomatic solution - in which Iran makes the sovereign political decision to withdraw - offers the prospect of a complete cessation of attacks,“ says British security expert David B. Roberts.
France and the UK are trying to expand the coalition beyond Europe, bringing in countries such as India and South Korea. The aim is to increase diplomatic influence and ultimately make commercial shipping possible again. Bens Nemeth says “countries have different reasons for joining these talks“. The most common are “freedom of navigation, international law and energy security“. “These countries do not want to normalize a situation in which one country uses violence or geography to control a crucial sea route,“ he stresses. “It would set a dangerous precedent for world trade.“
While Europe works to build the coalition, countries such as India, Pakistan and China are also pursuing bilateral agreements with Tehran to maintain maritime traffic flows. Although the volume remains “insignificant”, as Roberts notes.