European powers are moving to establish a multinational naval mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after fighting in the Iran war disrupted traffic through the vital trade route. Military planners from about 30 countries met in London to discuss how such an operation could work in practice and how commercial vessels could be protected.
At the core of proposals led by the United Kingdom and France is a “strictly defensive” naval operation focused on protecting commercial ships from attacks rather than striking targets on land. Both countries say the mission would be deployed only after a negotiated end to hostilities between the United States and Iran.
Practically, the mission would respond to attacks on vessels—defending ships targeted by missiles, drones or fast attack craft—rather than conducting offensive strikes against Iranian military infrastructure. Experts say it would likely require frigates or destroyers with air-defense systems and mine-countermeasure capabilities, including unmanned mine-hunting drones to detect and neutralize naval mines.
The European Three (E3)—Germany, France and the UK—are expected to shoulder much of the military burden. Germany has indicated it could contribute mine-clearance vessels and maritime reconnaissance subject to parliamentary approval; Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized the need for a clear legal mandate before any deployment. France already has substantial naval assets in the region, including warships, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and amphibious assault ships, and could redirect some forces from the eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea to support the mission.
The UK has said more than a dozen countries have expressed interest in contributing, but London has not specified what it will provide. Observers note that while the UK has advanced destroyers, their readiness and availability are unclear.
Risks for Europe include stretching naval capabilities at a time of heightened tensions closer to home, particularly given threats from Russia in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic. Air-defense systems do not guarantee full protection—large-scale drone attacks remain a serious challenge. Analysts describe a “layered” threat environment ranging from slow, low-altitude loitering munitions to fast anti-ship missiles and contact mines.
Most experts argue that naval deployments alone cannot secure the Strait of Hormuz permanently. Only a diplomatic settlement in which Iran makes a sovereign political decision to stand down is likely to halt attacks entirely. To bolster diplomatic leverage and widen support, France and the UK are seeking to broaden the coalition beyond Europe by engaging countries such as India—whose seafarers account for roughly 10% of the global merchant fleet—and South Korea.
Some countries including India, Pakistan and China are also pursuing bilateral arrangements with Tehran to keep shipping moving, though these efforts have so far resulted in only marginal volumes. For now, Europe is preparing a limited, defensive naval mission while pressing for a political solution; whether enough countries will support this approach remains unclear.