BRUSSELS - European Union leaders have rejected expanding their naval mission into the volatile Strait of Hormuz. Kaja Kallas, the bloc's foreign policy chief, confirmed Monday that member states possess zero appetite for the move amid escalating tensions with Iran.
Global oil prices spiked beyond $100 per barrel following reports of historic supply disruptions linked to the conflict. Despite intense pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, key nations including Germany and Romania cited conflicting strategic priorities, such as stability in the Black Sea.
Nobody wants to go actively in this war, Kallas stated during a press conference in Brussels. The refusal underscores Western hesitation regarding direct military engagement in Middle Eastern hostilities, even as protecting critical trade routes remains a top priority.