‘De-escalation’: Europe hesitates as US pushes for Hormuz naval mission

The United States has spent months trying to forge an international naval coalition to escort vessels through the embattled Strait of Hormuz.But Washington’s European allies, including the United Kingdom and France, who previously agreed to head such a mission in the event of a sustainable truce, appear reluctant to move forward, even as ongoing disruption in the vital waterway strains the global economy.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Why is Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif visiting Saudi Arabia amid Gulf tensions?list 2 of 4Hormuz deal ‘close’: What’s the latest on each side’s positions?list 3 of 4Will the US-Iran war and Hormuz deadlock last for months?list 4 of 4Iran tightens security grip at home as war conditions with US lingerend of listAnalysts say the stalled coalition effort reflects deep caution among European governments about becoming entangled in an unpredictable conflict they neither initiated nor supported, particularly without clear backing from Gulf partners.“Neither UK nor France has much appetite for being drawn into a confrontation with Iran on behalf of others, particularly if there is no clear regional demand for it,” HA Hellyer, a senior fellow at th...