Europe to accelerate effort to secure Hormuz despite Trump’s order to ‘STAY AWAY’

Key Points:

• European leaders, including Macron, Merz, Meloni, and Starmer, pledged to quickly ramp up a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz and ensure freedom of navigation following Iran's announcement to reopen the waterway.
• The mission, described as "defensive" by Starmer, aims to protect maritime traffic through the strait, which carries a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, but will only proceed after a ceasefire is reached between Washington and Tehran.
• U.S. former President Donald Trump rejected the need for NATO or allied assistance in securing the strait, calling allies "useless" and instructing them to stay away, reflecting ongoing U.S. frustration with allies over support in the region.
• European countries offered military contributions, with Italy proposing frigates and Germany offering minesweepers, but disagreements remain over whether the U.S. should participate, with France favoring a neutral coalition excluding belligerents and Germany advocating for U.S. inclusion.
• Leaders emphasized caution despite encouraging developments, noting that reopening the strait depends on coordination with Iranian authorities and that the U.S. plans to maintain a targeted blockade for now.