2024-01-11T19:49:42+00:00
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/ On Thursday, the United States of America condemned Iran’s detention of an oil tanker off the coast of the Sultanate of Oman, and called for the immediate release of the ship and its crew, at a time when the European Union is considering launching a new naval operation in the Red Sea with the aim of re-establishing security and freedom of navigation, while continuing Attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen against commercial ships in the vital waterway.
Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman Vedant Patel said in a regular press briefing that the United States will continue to consult with partners in the region on appropriate steps to hold Iran accountable.
Patel added to reporters: “The Iranian government must release the ship and its crew immediately. This illegal seizure is the latest or Iran-facilitated action aimed at obstructing international trade.”
In this context, Bloomberg quoted informed sources as saying that the member states of the European Union will discuss the plan to launch a new naval operation in the Red Sea this week to determine whether there is a desire on the part of the countries to cover the costs and provide ships for the new operation.
The sources added that the European Union could put the final touches on the plans as soon as a meeting of foreign ministers is held in Brussels on January 22.
According to Bloomberg, it is still unclear how the EU operation will complement the current mission led by the United States, called “Guardian of Prosperity” and joined by several EU countries, including France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
The European Union is also considering, according to Bloomberg, taking punitive measures against Hamas leaders and Israeli settlers in response to the violence resulting from the war between Israel and Hamas, steps that would bring the European Union into line with steps the United States has already taken.