EXPLAINER: Operation Aspides in the spotlight as EU debates Hormuz

Foreign ministers are meeting on Monday to discuss the role of EU operations in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy shipping route that has been effectively choked off following US–Israeli strikes on Iran.

At the heart of the discussion is the existing Operation Aspides. The EU operation – which translates to ‘shield’ in Greek – was originally set up in 2024 to guarantee freedom of navigation for vessels in the Red Sea targeted by attacks by Houthi militias. Now, amid calls from US President Donald Trump for Europe to help Washington secure the Strait of Hormuz, questions are being raised about whether the EU could expand the operation’s mandate.

Aspides currently has three objectives: escort vessels, maintain maritime situational awareness and protect ships from multi-domain threats at sea. More specifically, Aspides protects shipping targeted by attacks at sea or from air, but does not conduct strikes on land, the mandate reads. The mission was extended for another year in February.

An expanded mandate

Operation Aspides is a primarily defensive security mission operating in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

Capitals are now discussing whether to increase the operation’s capabilities or enhance its role. However, any move to grant Aspides a broader executive role – allowing it to go beyond physically protecting escorted vessels and potentially striking adversaries – would require unanimous agreement.

Currently, its mandate allows it to defend vessels in the Strait of Hormuz but not to carry out proactive attacks. One diplomatic source noted that Aspides has an executive role in the Red Sea, where it can legally participate in strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthis, but not in the Strait of Hormuz.

Some EU countries, particularly Germany, have so far been unwilling to expand the mission’s mandate due to concerns that it could drag Europe into the broader conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

On Monday morning, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters that the operation’s mandate is “clearly defined” to the Red Sea and does not apply to the Persian Gulf. He added that Aspides “does not relate to an ongoing military conflict between states,” as that would require a mandate from the German parliament.

The discussion prompted the Aspides headquarters to clarify on Monday that the operation has a “totally defensive mandate.”

Pressure from Washington

The current conversation comes as the fallout from the Iran war has blocked passage of energy tankers through the strategic route, sending oil prices above $100 per barrel. Over the weekend, Trump said he hoped “many countries” would send warships alongside the US to help keep the strait “open and safe.”

He later added that the failure of NATO allies to help would be ” very bad for the future of NATO.”

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul responded on Sunday that he was “very sceptical” that expanding the Aspides mission to the Strait of Hormuz would improve security, arguing it had already proved “ineffective” in the Red Sea. He doubled down on his position on Monday morning.

Debates ongoing

Still, not all EU officials have ruled out expanding Aspides. On Monday, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the mission could play a greater regional role.

Nevertheless, it all boils down to whether “member states are willing to use the mission,” she added.

Kallas said she had also spoken to UN Secretary-General António Guterres over the weekend about possibly replicating the Black Sea Grain initiative to ensure safe passage for commercial ships exporting grain and fertilisers from Ukrainian ports to global markets.

Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged two French vessels to the Aspides mission, which originally had three permanent frigates provided by the French, Italian and Greek navies, while pitching a new intergovernmental defensive mission to better protect the region.

More conversations on the topic are expected throughout Monday.

(cm, aw)