Europe Drafts Post-War Plan to Restore Hormuz Shipping, Excluding US Participation
European nations are drafting a post-war plan to form an international coalition to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities cease. The defensive initiative, which includes large-scale minesweeping and naval escorts, deliberately excludes belligerent parties like the United States, highlighting growing transatlantic tensions.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 16:15
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 16:31 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 17:01 (29 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, London, 14th, comprehensive foreign dispatch) European countries are working on plans to organize a broad coalition of nations to help restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which includes deploying minesweepers and other warships; however, this plan will only be activated after the war ends, and it may exclude one country: the United States.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that French President Emmanuel Macron stated today that the plan is an international defensive mission that does not include the "belligerent" parties, namely the United States, Israel, and Iran. European diplomats familiar with the plan said that European vessels will not be under US command.
The goal of this European plan is to give shipping companies the confidence to resume using the Strait of Hormuz after the war ends, although officials said it might still be some time before the conflict concludes.
A senior German official stated that the European plan is very likely to include Germany, which until now has been unwilling to even consider any military involvement publicly. The official noted that Germany, which has faced high political and legal hurdles in participating in overseas military operations since World War II, could clarify its commitment as early as the 16th.
Berlin's participation means the mission could be on a larger scale than previously expected. Germany has stronger financial resources than the UK and France, as well as some of the key military assets required for this specific mission.
On the 17th, Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host an online meeting, inviting dozens of countries to discuss how to maintain shipping order in the Strait of Hormuz after the war ends. Starmer will attend the meeting in Paris in person, while most of the other countries will participate via video conference.
French and British officials stated that the United States will not attend.
French officials pointed out that China and India were also invited to participate, but it is unclear whether they will attend.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated today: "The mission we are talking about can only be deployed after the situation returns to calm and hostilities cease."
He added that this international coalition will coordinate with coastal states of the strait, including Iran and Oman, which means the mission cannot move forward without Iran's consent.
People familiar with the matter revealed that there are still some differences among European countries to be resolved. French diplomats believe that US participation in the operation would be unacceptable to Tehran; British officials, on the other hand, worry that excluding the US would anger Trump and limit the scale of the operation.
The debate over whether to exclude the United States reflects growing transatlantic tensions. Over the past year, Trump has imposed tariffs on European exports, withdrawn support for Ukraine's defense against Russia, and threatened to use military force against Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark.
As the war in Iran escalates, most European leaders consider the war illegal and say it brings unwelcome economic impacts, further exacerbating tensions.
For weeks, Trump has been lobbying European allies to deploy warships to the Persian Gulf region to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force, but European officials have uniformly refused.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that reopening the strait by force is "unrealistic," as it would not only be extremely time-consuming but would also expose ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to coastal threats and ballistic missiles.
Several leaders also indicated that such a move could entangle Europe in a conflict that is highly unpopular among voters.
Trump has now asked Europe to assist the US in blockading Iranian ports, aiming to inflict enough economic damage on Iran to force it to agree to reopen this critical waterway, which transports about 1/5 of the world's oil, fertilizers, and other vital commodities.
Starmer and other nations declined, stating that Europe's focus is on how to restore passage, rather than further restricting traffic.
Trump criticized Europeans for standing on the sidelines and said he is reconsidering US membership in NATO. During a visit by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte last week, Trump stated that he expects Europe to take action. It remains unclear whether Europe's willingness to "help only after the war" can appease the US President's anger.
The plan has three main goals: First, establish logistics to ensure the hundreds of ships currently trapped in the Strait of Hormuz can leave. Next, conduct large-scale minesweeping operations to allow more ships to pass through a wider area.
Iran laid mines in parts of the waterway early in the conflict, and clearing these mines is key to restoring navigation.
Analysts pointed out that minesweeping is an area where European military capabilities are stronger than those of the US. The US has largely retired its minesweeping fleet, while major European powers possess over 150 minesweepers.
However, minesweeping operations are time-consuming and complex.
The final goal is to conduct regular military escorts and surveillance using frigates and destroyers to boost shipping companies' confidence in safe passage. However, it is not yet clear how large a naval deployment will be required.
Analysts noted that even if a lasting ceasefire is achieved, the presence of Western military forces is crucial to restoring the waterway's operations.
Mujtaba Rahman, European Director of the global political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said: "At some point, an escort system or convoys must be established to protect ships. Insurers and shipping companies will very likely demand this kind of protection."
The coalition mission will emulate the European Union Naval Force's "Operation Aspides." Launched in 2024 by several EU countries, Operation Aspides provided escorts for commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and defended against Houthi attacks.
In this mission, which the EU described as purely defensive, countries such as France, Italy, Germany, and Greece took turns providing frigates and helicopters to help fend off Houthi missile and drone attacks. The allied forces provided about three vessels at a time to assist with escorts and surveillance.
This operation was independent of the US-led "Operation Prosperity Guardian." Operating in the Red Sea from 2023 to 2025, Operation Prosperity Guardian was much larger in scale, including an aircraft carrier and multiple destroyers.
Germany faces strict constitutional limits on such deployments. To join the Strait of Hormuz mission, the government would need parliamentary authorization, which in turn requires a strong international mandate.
Germany could provide vessels, including minesweepers. The country's minesweeping squadron is based in the port of Kiel on the Baltic Sea coast and has about 12 minehunters and mine-clearing diving support vessels.
The German Navy is currently deployed in the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic to deter Russia. Berlin will need to assess whether it can redeploy some of its forces to the Middle East without compromising that mission.
Another area where Germany could provide support is surveillance. Germany previously deployed at least one reconnaissance aircraft in Djibouti to participate in the Red Sea mission.
The plan also loosely draws on the "Coalition of the Willing" concept, similar to the Ukraine model, where multiple European countries agreed to deploy limited forces after the signing of a permanent peace agreement, acting as a deterrent against Russia and helping to rebuild investor confidence in the Ukrainian economy. (Translation: Cheng Shih-yun) 1150415
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(Central News Agency, London, 14th, comprehensive foreign dispatch) European countries are working on plans to organize a broad coalition of nations to help restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which includes deploying minesweepers and other warships; however, this plan will only be activated after the war ends, and it may exclude one country: the United States.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that French President Emmanuel Macron stated today that the plan is an international defensive mission that does not include the "belligerent" parties, namely the United States, Israel, and Iran. European diplomats familiar with the plan said that European vessels will not be under US command.
The goal of this European plan is to give shipping companies the confidence to resume using the Strait of Hormuz after the war ends, although officials said it might still be some time before the conflict concludes.
A senior German official stated that the European plan is very likely to include Germany, which until now has been unwilling to even consider any military involvement publicly. The official noted that Germany, which has faced high political and legal hurdles in participating in overseas military operations since World War II, could clarify its commitment as early as the 16th.
Berlin's participation means the mission could be on a larger scale than previously expected. Germany has stronger financial resources than the UK and France, as well as some of the key military assets required for this specific mission.
On the 17th, Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host an online meeting, inviting dozens of countries to discuss how to maintain shipping order in the Strait of Hormuz after the war ends. Starmer will attend the meeting in Paris in person, while most of the other countries will participate via video conference.
French and British officials stated that the United States will not attend.
French officials pointed out that China and India were also invited to participate, but it is unclear whether they will attend.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated today: "The mission we are talking about can only be deployed after the situation returns to calm and hostilities cease."
He added that this international coalition will coordinate with coastal states of the strait, including Iran and Oman, which means the mission cannot move forward without Iran's consent.
People familiar with the matter revealed that there are still some differences among European countries to be resolved. French diplomats believe that US participation in the operation would be unacceptable to Tehran; British officials, on the other hand, worry that excluding the US would anger Trump and limit the scale of the operation.
The debate over whether to exclude the United States reflects growing transatlantic tensions. Over the past year, Trump has imposed tariffs on European exports, withdrawn support for Ukraine's defense against Russia, and threatened to use military force against Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark.
As the war in Iran escalates, most European leaders consider the war illegal and say it brings unwelcome economic impacts, further exacerbating tensions.
For weeks, Trump has been lobbying European allies to deploy warships to the Persian Gulf region to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force, but European officials have uniformly refused.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that reopening the strait by force is "unrealistic," as it would not only be extremely time-consuming but would also expose ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to coastal threats and ballistic missiles.
Several leaders also indicated that such a move could entangle Europe in a conflict that is highly unpopular among voters.
Trump has now asked Europe to assist the US in blockading Iranian ports, aiming to inflict enough economic damage on Iran to force it to agree to reopen this critical waterway, which transports about 1/5 of the world's oil, fertilizers, and other vital commodities.
Starmer and other nations declined, stating that Europe's focus is on how to restore passage, rather than further restricting traffic.
Trump criticized Europeans for standing on the sidelines and said he is reconsidering US membership in NATO. During a visit by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte last week, Trump stated that he expects Europe to take action. It remains unclear whether Europe's willingness to "help only after the war" can appease the US President's anger.
The plan has three main goals: First, establish logistics to ensure the hundreds of ships currently trapped in the Strait of Hormuz can leave. Next, conduct large-scale minesweeping operations to allow more ships to pass through a wider area.
Iran laid mines in parts of the waterway early in the conflict, and clearing these mines is key to restoring navigation.
Analysts pointed out that minesweeping is an area where European military capabilities are stronger than those of the US. The US has largely retired its minesweeping fleet, while major European powers possess over 150 minesweepers.
However, minesweeping operations are time-consuming and complex.
The final goal is to conduct regular military escorts and surveillance using frigates and destroyers to boost shipping companies' confidence in safe passage. However, it is not yet clear how large a naval deployment will be required.
Analysts noted that even if a lasting ceasefire is achieved, the presence of Western military forces is crucial to restoring the waterway's operations.
Mujtaba Rahman, European Director of the global political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said: "At some point, an escort system or convoys must be established to protect ships. Insurers and shipping companies will very likely demand this kind of protection."
The coalition mission will emulate the European Union Naval Force's "Operation Aspides." Launched in 2024 by several EU countries, Operation Aspides provided escorts for commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and defended against Houthi attacks.
In this mission, which the EU described as purely defensive, countries such as France, Italy, Germany, and Greece took turns providing frigates and helicopters to help fend off Houthi missile and drone attacks. The allied forces provided about three vessels at a time to assist with escorts and surveillance.
This operation was independent of the US-led "Operation Prosperity Guardian." Operating in the Red Sea from 2023 to 2025, Operation Prosperity Guardian was much larger in scale, including an aircraft carrier and multiple destroyers.
Germany faces strict constitutional limits on such deployments. To join the Strait of Hormuz mission, the government would need parliamentary authorization, which in turn requires a strong international mandate.
Germany could provide vessels, including minesweepers. The country's minesweeping squadron is based in the port of Kiel on the Baltic Sea coast and has about 12 minehunters and mine-clearing diving support vessels.
The German Navy is currently deployed in the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic to deter Russia. Berlin will need to assess whether it can redeploy some of its forces to the Middle East without compromising that mission.
Another area where Germany could provide support is surveillance. Germany previously deployed at least one reconnaissance aircraft in Djibouti to participate in the Red Sea mission.
The plan also loosely draws on the "Coalition of the Willing" concept, similar to the Ukraine model, where multiple European countries agreed to deploy limited forces after the signing of a permanent peace agreement, acting as a deterrent against Russia and helping to rebuild investor confidence in the Ukrainian economy. (Translation: Cheng Shih-yun) 1150415
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship from you is a force that guards press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.