By By Elizabeth Ugbo
European leaders on Tuesday in Brussels rejected a request by Donald Trump to deploy forces to the Strait of Hormuz, where ongoing tensions from the US-Israeli war on Iran have disrupted oil supply, raised global prices above $100 per barrel, and triggered emergency actions by the International Energy Agency.
IEA Warns of Historic Oil Supply Disruption
The IEA described the situation as the largest oil supply disruption in history.
Executive Director Fatih Birol said oil supply losses now exceed previous crises, including the 1973 oil crisis.
Although prices dropped slightly this week, uncertainty remains high.
- The IEA already released 400 million barrels of oil reserves.
- However, it still holds over 1.4 billion barrels for future emergencies.
Birol stressed that reserves offer only temporary relief if the strait stays blocked.
EU Pushes Back on Military Involvement
European leaders strongly resisted joining military operations in the region.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas questioned the effectiveness of European naval forces.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated clearly:
- “This is not our war.”
Similarly, Germany maintained that NATO should not intervene.
NATO Role Remains Unclear
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said NATO has not agreed on any mission.
Officials emphasized that NATO exists to defend member territories, not engage in external wars.
Germany also criticized the lack of consultation from the US before the conflict escalated.
UK and EU Seek Diplomatic Solution
Despite rejecting military action, some countries support diplomatic and strategic engagement.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed efforts to:
- Work with allies
- Develop a plan to reopen the strait
However, he warned that the process would be difficult.
Denmark’s Lars Lokke Rasmussen urged realism and de-escalation.
Divided European Response
Several European nations ruled out direct military involvement:
- Greece declined participation in naval missions
- Italy confirmed no operational role
- Poland demanded formal NATO procedures before considering action
Meanwhile, Estonia called for clarity on US strategy.
Oil Prices and Russia Factor
Kallas noted that rising oil prices benefit Russia, which relies heavily on energy exports.
She warned that prolonged disruption could indirectly support Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.
US Pushes for Coalition Support
The US continues to lobby allies for support.
Officials hope to build a coalition to secure the strait, although:
- No timeline exists
- Participating countries remain uncertain
Even close allies remain cautious about entering an active conflict zone.
