Europe Draws Up Plan To Unblock Strait Of Hormuz Without U.S.

The initiative involves the formation of a broad coalition of countries.

European countries are developing a plan to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without U.S. participation, informed sources told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). According to them, the initiative involves the formation of a broad coalition of countries that will deal with demining the water area and ensuring the safety of navigation. The goal of the mission is to restore the confidence of shipping companies and ensure the resumption of transit through the strait.

The plan is supposed to be implemented only after the end of hostilities. It will involve three phases: withdrawal of stranded ships, clearing the strait and subsequent military escort of tankers to ensure safety. Germany may join the mission, which will strengthen it with financial resources and specialized military capabilities. In the coming days, France and Britain are set to hold an online meeting involving several dozen countries to discuss the parameters of the mission.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the day before, April 14, that European countries are preparing a "defensive mission" in the Strait of Hormuz that will not include the "belligerents" - the United States, Israel and Iran. According to WSJ sources, Paris believes that US participation will complicate engagement with Iran. At the same time, London fears that Washington's exclusion will limit the scale of the operation and cause dissatisfaction of the American authorities.

April 13, the United States declared a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, prohibiting the passage of any maritime transport entering and leaving Iranian ports. Afterward, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had "completely" cut off Iran's international maritime trade, which provided about 90% of the country's economy. Tehran, for its part, said the Islamic Republic's naval blockade was doomed to failure. It was also opposed by Britain, China and Russia.

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28. Tehran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of oil and 30 percent of liquefied natural gas flows to the world market. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that European and Asian countries send their ships to the strait to work together to secure the sea route. He later criticized NATO countries for refusing to assist the US in this matter.

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