Athens remains negative about the possibility of expanding the mandate of the European Operation “Aspides” (Shields) to the Strait of Hormuz. As Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said during a briefing of political reporters, “there is no issue of our country’s involvement in such an operation.”
According to competent sources speaking to Kathimerini, the Greek side wishes to maintain the presence of its naval units in the same geographic area where they currently operate, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The same sources underlined that Athens intends to preserve the current status of the operation, which it initiated in 2024 and for which it continues to host both the headquarters and the afloat command.
The possibility of expanding “Aspides” or launching joint operations in the Persian Gulf under French command has been raised before. Athens already has relevant experience, having participated with a personnel mission in the European maritime monitoring operation in the Arabian Sea within the framework of the EMASoH initiative (European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz).
The military component of EMASoH/AGENOR, aimed at monitoring the strait to ensure the safety of navigation, includes eight European countries: France, which initiated the mission in 2019, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece. Athens’ participation mainly involves the contribution of an officer to the operation’s staff in the United Arab Emirates, while in 2021 the frigate Hydra took part in an associated support role.
During discussions in 2024 on Greece’s initiative to deploy warships to the Red Sea following the escalation of the Middle East war, the idea of merging the two operations resurfaced, with Athens again expressing opposition. Military sources noted that threats in the Strait of Hormuz are considerably greater than in the Gulf of Aden, where Greek warships operate.
Iran, despite being weakened, possesses modern guided surface weapons and unmanned aircraft and vessels capable of causing serious damage to commercial and military ships, making any mission in the area particularly complex, the sources said.
At the same time, Athens is considering sending humanitarian aid to Lebanon following the latest escalation of military operations, triggered by Hezbollah’s barrage of rockets and drones against northern Israel. The Israeli Defence Forces are carrying out extensive strikes in Beirut and especially in southern Lebanon, where the Shiite organization maintains a strong presence.
Around one million people are estimated to have fled their homes in the south, seeking refuge in Beirut or further north after Israeli evacuation orders turned the area between the Litani River and the Israeli border into an operational zone.
Kathimerini understands that Greek diplomatic authorities in Lebanon are coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the collection of humanitarian assistance. Initial discussions have also taken place with the Hellenic National Defence General Staff regarding the possible deployment of a C-130 aircraft and personnel. A similar mission was carried out in October 2024, when medical supplies and essential goods were transported to Lebanon.