While UK offers to host summit on reopening Strait of Hormuz, President Herzog slams European leaders for being ‘naïve'

The United Kingdom is offering to host a security summit in the near future to discuss securing and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Politico Europe reported. 

Over 30 nations signed a joint statement condemning “attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.” 

The statement called on Iran to immediately cease “its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.” 

While some of these nations are willing to discuss forming a coalition to help secure the opening of the strait, it is unclear whether they are willing to commit military forces.

An anonymous British official told the outlet that the U.K. wants to help "build this coalition and develop momentum" in order to "open a safe route through the Strait of Hormuz, and provide that reassurance to merchant shipping.” 

The summit will likely be hosted in London or Portsmouth, the home of the Royal Navy on the south coast of England. 

However, the official who spoke with Politico said options to secure the channel – such as drone minesweepers capable of tracking and identifying undersea threats – would not be feasible while hostilities continue.

The report came as British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters told reporters on Wednesday that the UK is “working closely with international partners to develop a viable plan to safeguard international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.” 

Ambassador Walters did not commit the UK to any military action. But mentioned the recent increase in British forces in the area. 

“The UK now has more fighter jets in the region than at any period in the past 15 years,” Walters said, noting that British pilots “have conducted nearly 1,000 flying hours since the start of the war, shooting down Iranian drones in defense of our allies and partners.” 

The lack of any commitment by European nations to join the U.S. and Israel in the military operations against Iran has caused some frustration in both Jerusalem and Washington. 

About a week and a half ago, President Donald Trump demanded that countries that depend on the Strait of Hormuz join a coalition to help keep it open.

Several European leaders rejected Trump’s call for a military coalition, with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas saying, “Europe has no interest in an open-ended war.” 

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius echoed this, saying, “This is not our war; we did not start it.” 

“We want diplomatic solutions and a swift end to the conflict, but sending more warships to the region will likely not help achieve that,” Pistorius added. 

Trump responded harshly, focusing particular ire on the European members of NATO. 

“We’ve had no support, essentially, no support from NATO,” Trump said while hosting the Irish prime minister in the White House earlier this month. He said that NATO is making “a very foolish mistake.” 

Israeli leaders have also criticized European countries for their reluctance to commit to securing a region vital to their own economies.

Israeli officials told Ynet News, “Not only did Europe not mobilize to help keep the shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz open, but it also did not assist in defending the Persian Gulf states from Iran’s attacks.” 

One official called the European countries “doormats” for their unwillingness to commit militarily, preferring only diplomatic means. 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog joined in the condemnation while speaking with the Israel advocacy group, StandWithUs. 

Herzog said European nations were being “naïve” about Iran’s ultimate intentions.

“I think they have to understand that what we are doing is protecting Europe,” Herzog said regarding the joint Israeli-U.S. military operations in Iran. “Once the Iranians launched a 4,000-kilometer missile to Diego Garcia – that definitely covers all of Europe, including England. What are you so naive about? Read their scriptures, read their ideology, and understand – you’re next.” 

Herzog said it is “about time the world stands up to them [Iran]. Stands up to them and says no more, that the region stands up to them, that Europe stands up to them and says no more.” 

Iran is “a rogue state. They’re an empire of evil and they’re an evil regime, and it must be crushed,” the Israeli president added.