G7 agrees to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: https://ru.euronews.com/
The joint pledge by the G7 foreign ministers came in response to increased pressure from the US president on European countries to help secure the waterway.
There is broad consensus in the international community to preserve freedom of navigation, Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister, said Friday. But the international escort mission would operate “once calm has been restored” and be “strictly defensive in nature,” in accordance with international law.
Trump has repeatedly lashed out at European countries and NATO for refusing to organize a mission to guard Hormuz.
Before heading to a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that the White House might abandon efforts to end the war in Ukraine because of this, which was seen as a retaliatory threat.
“Ukraine is not America’s war, and yet we have contributed more to that fight than any other country,” Rubio said.
He explained that the U.S. is asking allies to prepare a multinational mission in the immediate aftermath of the war, rather than deploying it immediately.
“Defense of navigation” in a broader sense.
More than 30 countries, including Germany, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan, have signed a statement expressing their “readiness to contribute to safe passage” through the Strait of Hormuz.
The text does not specify how and when the readiness will be realized. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said it would be aimed at “defensive action” to “protect international shipping” more broadly.
The Europeans oppose attempts to defend Hormuz for fear of being drawn into a confrontation. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran are unpopular with European citizens, deterring governments from committing funds to an operation whose success is not guaranteed.
In addition, Europe is still reeling from Trump’s attempt to seize Greenland from Denmark, which shook solidarity within NATO. And the White House’s decision to ease sanctions against Russian oil has further increased anxiety.
Rubio later told reporters that the easing of sanctions did not mean a “permanent” change in U.S. policy, but warned that U.S. weapons supplied to Ukraine could be diverted “if there is a need to resupply.”
“Our interests will always come first,” he added.
