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 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.

  • thethirdgracchi [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    32·
    23 days ago

    This is not news? There’s nothing in that statement that says they’re joining the war, just that they’re in the "prepratory planning"phase to ensure “freedom of navigation” in Hormuz. They are not going to send ships to get blown up during the war, and nothing in the statement is inconsistent with France’s position that they’ll “protect” the strait after the ceasation of hostilities. The euros have no existential “problem” with the war and were always going to condemn Iran for defending itself, but nothing in that vague euro-speak statement to my mind implies any kind of military intervention in the war.