Spain distances itself from the EU's proposed military mission to keep the Strait of Hormuz open

Brussels/MadridThe EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has proposed creating a European Union mission or a United Nations mission to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. One of the options raised by the EU leader is to modify and expand an existing mission, known as Operation Aspides, which aims to protect vessels in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.

The former Estonian prime minister has stated that she has already spoken with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and that several member states would be willing to collaborate. "We will discuss with the member states whether it is possible to modify the mandate of this mission and whether they are truly prepared to make use of it," Kallas said before the start of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.

One of the member states that disagrees is Spain. Defense Minister Margarita Robles ruled out on Monday the State's participation in a potential European Union mission to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. blocked by Iran In response to the attack by the United States and Israel, the Socialist leader distanced herself from Kallas's initiative to send a joint mission of European countries to the region. In fact, Spain no longer participates in the Aspides mission. Speaking to the media from the El Goloso naval base (Madrid), Robles reiterated Spain's opposition to the war: "Our demand is that it ends because it makes no sense, it is illegal, and it is causing many deaths," she said. In any case, she noted that Spain did send its best frigate, Christopher Columbusto reinforce the defense of Cyprus, a member state of the European Union, after an Iranian drone struck a base located in that country.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who attended Monday's EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, expressed similar sentiments. "A purely military solution never brings democracy, stability, or economic prosperity. This is the position the European Union must adopt. In fact, this is the position of Spain's foreign policy," he added.

Macron and Starmer's support

Kallas's proposal, submitted to the EU Foreign Affairs Council, comes just days before the summit that will bring together all the heads of state and government of the bloc this Thursday in Brussels. Furthermore, last week French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to launch a similar mission. He also offered few details, simply stating that it would involve "escorting" ships transporting fossil fuels. However, the French leader cautioned that it would not be operational immediately, but rather "once the most critical phase of the conflict has ended."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also views the idea favorably, stating that the UK is already working with various allies on a "viable" plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, he made it clear that the UK will not become involved in the war against Iran. "We will not be drawn into a war," he vowed. Starmer declared that he "wants the war to end as soon as possible, because the longer it drags on, the more dangerous the situation becomes and the worse it is for the cost of living." Furthermore, the Prime Minister explained that the ongoing efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would not be a NATO mission alone, but would involve a broad alliance including Gulf partners, European countries, and the United States.

Kallas's proposal comes after US President Donald Trump again threatened his own allies, warning that NATO faces a "very bad" future if members of the military alliance do not help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In fact, the US leader said on Sunday that he has already asked about seven countries to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, although he avoided specifying which European partners they were.