EU Policy Chief Proposes Black Sea Initiative to Open Hormuz Strait Blockade

JAKARTA - The head of the European Union's Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas said on Monday that he and the United Nations had discussed the idea of freeing oil and gas transport through the Strait of Hormuz by emulating an agreement that allowed the shipment of grain from Ukraine during the war.

Arriving at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas said he had spoken to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the idea of opening the strait blockade, which is currently hampered by the Iran war.

"I have spoken to Antonio Guterres about whether it is possible to also have a similar initiative as we have (with) the Black Sea Initiative," Kallas said, launching Al Arabiya from Reuters (16/3).

It is known that Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli war against Iran, which is now entering its third week.

Iranian forces have attacked ships in a narrow channel between Iran and Oman, cutting off a fifth of global oil supplies in the biggest disruption ever.

Kallas further said that the closure of the strait was "very dangerous" for energy supplies to Asia, but also a problem for fertilizer production.

"And if there is a shortage of fertilizer this year, there will also be a shortage of food next year," said Kallas without giving further details.

Kallas said ministers would also discuss whether it might be possible to change the mandate of the EU's small naval mission in the Middle East, Aspides, which is currently focused on protecting ships in the Red Sea from Yemen's Houthi militia.

"It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and that is why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard from the European side," he explained.

Asked about the skepticism expressed by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul about whether Aspides could be useful in the Strait of Hormuz, Kallas said: "Of course we also need to get support from member states."

"If member states say that we are not doing anything about this, then of course that is their decision, but we have to discuss how we help keep the Strait of Hormuz open," he said.