Brussels, 16 March 2026 (dpa/MIA) – The European Union has ruled out participation in a potential military operation to secure fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after demands made by US President Donald Trump.

No one wants to be actively drawn into this war, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday after consultations with EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

"This is not Europe's war," she said, alluding to the Israeli and US airstrikes against Iran.

On Sunday, Trump had suggested in media remarks that NATO may have a "very bad" future if allies don't help ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the strait. Twenty-three of the EU's 27 members are also NATO allies.

Strait remains blocked

The Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route and the only sea passage from The Gulf to the open sea, has been blocked by Iran as a retaliation for US and Israeli airstrikes.

EU ministers in Brussels discussed different options on how the bloc could contribute to the reopening of the strait, including adapting the bloc's naval mission Aspides.

The mission, set up in 2024 after Iranian-backed Houthis targeted several vessels, operates so far mainly in the Red Sea. The Houthi militia recently announced its full and unwavering solidarity with Tehran.

Kallas said there was no willingness among the EU countries to extend the mandate for the operation to include the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time there is a clear desire to strengthen the current mission, she said.

"The risk that Houthis get involved is real, so we must remain vigilant," Kallas said.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday that he was "very sceptical as to whether extending Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz would be able to provide greater security."

Ahead of Monday's meeting, Kallas had held talks with UN Secretary General António Guterres about a potential initiative to secure the safe passage of oil and fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz similar to how it was done in the Black Sea for Ukrainian grain exports.

Turning to the Iranian regime, EU ministers formally approved new sanctions targeting Iranian officials and organizations.

Concerns over Iran war diverting attention from Ukraine

Arriving at the Brussels meeting, Kallas warned again against the spillover effects from the fighting in the Middle East to the war in Ukraine and possible repercussions for Kiev.

"It's important that the attention on the Middle East does not take away the attention from Ukraine," she said.

The European Commission said Moscow has hugely benefited from soaring fuel prices since the war in Iran started, with additional daily earnings of €150 million ($172.1 million) from oil sales.

This comes after years of EU efforts to curb Russia’s fossil fuel revenues in order to limit its ability to finance the war against Ukraine.

Kallas said that the easing of US sanctions on Russian oil shipments "is a dangerous precedent because right now we need them to have less money for waging the war [rather]than more."

The conflict has also stretched military resources, with air-defence systems and other assets increasingly needed outside the Ukraine theatre of war as Iran retaliates against US and Israeli airstrikes with attacks across parts of the Middle East.

The EU's support for Kiev suffered a setback last month when the bloc's 27 member countries failed to unanimously agree on new aid measures in time for the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

A 20th sanctions package on Russia, as well as a financial aid package worth €90 billion ($103 billion) remain blocked.

No breakthrough on the measures is expected on Monday in Brussels, and EU leaders are likely to further discuss the issue at an upcoming EU summit later this week.

Photo: EPA