Greece and Spain decline U.S. request for military participation in the Strait of Hormuz

On Monday, Greece and Spain officially declined U.S. requests to participate in military operations to secure the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously requested support from seven nations to protect shipping lanes in the waterway amid a conflict between the U.S.-Israeli alliance and Iran. Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis stated that Greece will limit its naval participation to the EU mission 'Aspides' in the Red Sea. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles and Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares also rejected the U.S. proposal, characterizing the conflict as illegal and demanding an immediate end to the war. The Spanish government further implemented a ban on U.S. military aircraft using joint bases in southern Spain. While the U.S. reports that Tehran has largely obstructed oil tanker traffic in the region, Spanish officials argued that the priority must be the cessation of hostilities rather than military intervention. Both Greece and Spain emphasized their commitment to alternative diplomatic or European-led security frameworks.