Iran Warns Against International Naval Coalition in Persian Gulf

Officials see Britain-proposed fleet as adding to regional insecurity

Iranian officials have expressed concern about the British proposal for an EU-led international naval fleet to protect the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. They say this would only add to regional insecurity.

Britain began pushing the proposal Monday, citing last week’s Iranian capture of a British oil tanker. Iranian officials have emphasized that it was in retaliation for Britain capturing an Iranian tanker near Gibraltar.

Iranian officials have emphasized their intention to provide security for shipping through the Strait, arguing that an alternative force was not necessary.

Most nations have rejected both US and British proposals for this fleet, seeing their own ships as being in no danger since they aren’t involved in disputes with Iran. Some nations have openly rejected the US proposal on the grounds that they don’t want to get involved in making the situation worse.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.