EU Proposes Naval Mission to Open Hormuz Strait

JAKARTA - The head of foreign policy of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, proposed to EU leaders in an informal meeting that the bloc strengthen its naval mission in the region to help ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open.

"All parties are very clear that freedom of navigation cannot be negotiated, so the Strait of Hormuz must be opened without any tolls, and we need to make efforts for that," Kallas said ahead of the second day of the meeting in Cyprus, as reported by ANTARA from Sputnik/RIA Novosti-OANA, Friday, April 24.

"And of course, because we have the Aspides and Atalanta operations which are indeed in the region, the fastest way to form this voluntary coalition is to take advantage of the mission, improve and strengthen the mission with the ships, equipment, and capabilities needed," he said.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on targets in Iran that caused damage and civilian casualties.

On April 7, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. Subsequent negotiations in Islamabad ended without results.

Although there is no announcement on when the war between the United States and Iran will resume, the United States has begun imposing a blockade on Iranian ports.

On April 21, President Donald Trump said the United States would extend a ceasefire with Iran while continuing to maintain a naval blockade of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.