EU diplomatic arm proposed naval mission take ‘primary role’ in clearing Strait of Hormuz mines, document shows

The European External Action Service wrote in ‌a note dated May 26 that “the situation requires the Union to provide a meaningful contribution” to an ad hoc coalition ⁠led ​by France and ⁠the UK “to be materialised once conditions allow and separated from ⁠the belligerents”. “It is proposed that, when conditions allow, ​EUNAVFOR ASPIDES be tasked with undertaking the primary ⁠role in mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz as ⁠the ​EU’s contribution to the FR-UK ad hoc Coalition’s efforts,” it wrote in the note, which ⁠was circulated to EU member countries.

The European ​Union's diplomatic service has ​proposed that the ‌bloc's Aspides ​naval mission take "the primary role" in clearing mines in ‌the Strait of Hormuz “when conditions allow” as Europe’s contribution to a Franco-British-led initiative, according to a document seen ‌by Reuters. The European External Action Service wrote in ‌a note dated May 26 that “the situation requires the Union to provide a meaningful contribution” to an ad hoc coalition ⁠led ​by France and ⁠the UK “to be materialised once conditions allow and separated from ⁠the belligerents”.

“It is proposed that, when conditions allow, ​EUNAVFOR ASPIDES be tasked with undertaking the primary ⁠role in mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz as ⁠the ​EU’s contribution to the FR-UK ad hoc Coalition’s efforts,” it wrote in the note, which ⁠was circulated to EU member countries. Changing the Aspides mission’s ⁠mandate ⁠would require unanimity, and it remains unclear if the EU’s 27 member countries would ‌back ‌such a change.