The promise made by EU foreign ministers on Monday not to take part in the war against Iran (“This is not our war”) lasted just three days. On Thursday, the heads of state and government of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and Japan issued a joint statement in which they pledged to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
The statement makes no mention whatsoever of the US and Israel, which attacked Iran 20 days ago in violation of international law and have been bombing it non-stop ever since. Instead, it blames the victim for the war and accuses Iran of breaking international law.
Indeed. Pledging to keep the Strait of Hormuz open would likely be most easily accomplished by applying pressure on the US and Israel to de-escalate, and negotiating with Iran to get its cooperation. European military force isn’t going to add anything that the US isn’t already capable of.