Greece will not participate in any military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said on Monday, as the U.S. pushes for international help to reopen the key oil chokepoint blocked by Iran.
Greece’s naval commitment remains confined to the European Union’s Operation Aspides, the defensive mission protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi militant attacks. The EU-led operation, with command in Larissa, Greece, currently deploys Greek and Italian warships, with French and additional Italian vessels on standby.
“Greece is not involved, nor will it be involved, in any operations in the Strait of Hormuz,” Marinakis told a regular press briefing. “Our participation is exclusively in Aspides, which is strictly limited geographically to the Red Sea region. Greece has no intention of engaging in the ongoing war.”
The declaration follows U.S. President Donald Trump‘s Sunday announcement that his administration is in talks with roughly seven countries — many dependent on Persian Gulf oil exports — to assemble a multinational force to secure and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called on allies, including NATO partners, to deploy naval assets, warning of potential repercussions for the alliance if they decline to assist.
Iran has largely halted tanker traffic through the strait in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Tehran, now entering its third week since initial strikes on February 28. The disruption has sent global oil prices surging and left numerous vessels stranded or rerouted.
Within the EU, discussions have surfaced about possibly expanding or redirecting Aspides resources toward the Hormuz crisis, though diplomats say no concrete agreement is imminent. Germany has voiced reservations over broadening the mission’s scope, pointing to its constrained impact even in the Red Sea.
As home to one of the world’s largest merchant fleets — particularly tankers — Greece has issued advisories urging shipowners to avoid the strait and carefully evaluate transits until security improves.
The conflict continues to roil energy markets, fueling inflation fears as crude prices climb and supply chains face prolonged uncertainty.