European Centre for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies, Germany & Netherlands – ECCI
EU splits Aspides from Hormuz mission as Macron signals rapid deployment
euractiv ـ Kallas says Aspides will focus on Red Sea, ‘complementing’ Franco-British-led mission in Hormuz
A Franco-British-led maritime mission in the Strait of Hormuz could be ready “within days,” Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, but the inclusion of the EU naval mission Aspides now appears unlikely.
Speaking at Evian G7 summit, the French president said France and its partners were ready to deploy fighter jets, a frigate and, within “two to three days“, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, alongside mine-clearing capabilities.
Macron stressed that any deployment would depend on the confirmation of an international agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Germany and Italy also signalled their readiness to contribute.
Arriving at an EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Europeans had “always declared themselves ready to play a role” in restoring freedom of navigation through Hormuz, suggesting that European efforts “could be reinforced if necessary”.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed Rome’s willingness to participate in a future peace mission, noting that two Italian minehunters currently assigned to the EU’s Aspides operation could be redeployed to the Strait of Hormuz—potentially reducing available assets for Aspides.
However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas drew a distinction between the prospective Hormuz mission and the bloc’s existing naval operation, Aspides.
Following discussions among EU foreign and defence ministers, Kallas said Aspides would continue to focus on protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, particularly as Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to intensify their attacks.
The Franco-British-led operation in Hormuz and Aspides would therefore “go hand in hand and complement each other”, rather than overlap, she said.
Kallas’ remarks mark a shift from her previous position. Speaking at the informal Gymnich meeting in Cyprus on 28 May, she said that, in the context of the “diplomatic push underway to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait”, the EU could help protect freedom of navigation in the region, “including through Operation Aspides”.
European Centre for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies, Germany & Netherlands – ECCI
