Arabic version: أوروبا تتردد في المهمة البحرية الأميركية في هرمز

According to Al Jazeera, the United States has spent months seeking an international naval coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, but European allies including the United Kingdom and France appear reluctant to proceed. The effort remains stalled despite disruption in the waterway, through which about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas usually flows.

The US raised the coalition idea in March, with President Donald Trump calling on allies and China to send warships. While most countries initially declined or did not commit, the UK and France left open the possibility of taking part. In mid-April, then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for the UK and France to lead a mission described as “strictly peaceful and defensive”.

The UK Ministry of Defence later said it would send drones, fighter jets and a warship when conditions allowed. A European diplomatic source said more than 30 states met at a technical level on Thursday following a France-UK initiative on freedom of navigation. A UK Defence Ministry spokesperson said operational activity depended on conditions on the ground and a durable political agreement.

Analysts said European governments are wary of entering a conflict they did not initiate or support. HA Hellyer said the UK and France were unlikely to lead an operation without active support from key Gulf partners. Amjed Rasheed said Europe seeks de-escalation and stability in the Gulf, while any involvement would probably be limited, conditional and defensive.

Iran and the US are also divided over the waterway’s future. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Wednesday that an understanding with Oman on a new traffic-management protocol was close to finalisation. He said the proposed arrangement could last two to four months and would direct shipping through designated routes involving Iranian and Omani waters.