EU says more ships needed to secure Strait of Hormuz

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says securing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israel war on Iran will require additional naval vessels.

Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas said the expanded effort would include more European ships and possible changes to the bloc’s Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea.

The Aspides mission, named after the Greek word for “shield”, currently consists of three vessels tasked with protecting shipping from Houthi attacks.

Kallas said operational plans may need to be revised depending on future requirements, including the possible deployment of specialist mine-clearing ships.

“But it mostly needs more ships,” she said, adding that another vessel would join the operation without providing further details.

Earlier this year, the EU extended Aspides’ mandate until the end of next February and approved an additional $17.4m in funding.