Europe’s Limited and Risky Options in the Strait of Hormuz

During a recent virtual meeting of officials from 40 countries, Italy’s foreign minister proposed establishing a “humanitarian corridor” to facilitate safe passage of essential goods, such as fertilizer, through the Strait of Hormuz, but the idea did not gain consensus. European leaders, facing pressure from the U.S. to deploy military assets to counter Iran’s blockade, have yet to agree on a concrete plan. Various strategies are being considered, including naval escorts and mine-sweeping operations, but concerns about costs and effectiveness persist, while Iran maintains control over the strait and plans to impose tolls on passing ships, raising fears of a global economic crisis.

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