EU: freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz non-negotiable

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas affirmed on Friday that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is non-negotiable, stressing the need to reopen it and ensure its stability as soon as possible. Kallas said in remarks to reporters ahead of an EU leaders' summit in Nicosia that stability in the Strait of Hormuz represents an urgent international interest, considering the direct impact any disruption would have on energy markets and global economic growth. She underlined that any talks with Iran should not be limited to the political level alone, but must include nuclear experts, warning that their absence could lead to a weaker agreement than the previous nuclear deal. Kallas added that focusing solely on the nuclear file without addressing broader issues such as missile programs, support for armed groups, and cyber activities could produce counterproductive outcomes and further complicate the regional landscape. For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters that "it is in our interest to restore stability in the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible and to ensure the stability of global economies." Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the crisis resulting from what he described as an "illegal war" in the Middle East clearly underscores the importance of respecting international law, noting that the level of trust between Washington and Tehran remains limited, reducing the likelihood of reaching a near-term agreement. Sanchez called for imposing taxes on windfall profits of energy companies to finance measures aimed at easing the burden of rising prices on European citizens and businesses, stressing the need for greater flexibility in EU fiscal rules to support investment in renewable energy.