Greece will not take part in any naval or broader military operations near the current conflict zone, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, as European governments signal reluctance to engage amid operational and political constraints.
European leaders have adopted a cautious stance following consultations over a possible mission, citing both limited military capabilities in a high-risk environment and a desire to avoid being seen as participating in a conflict initiated without broader allied consensus.
“Greece will not participate in any operation near the theater of current operations,” Mitsotakis said in an interview with Bloomberg, adding that there was little appetite across Europe for such a move. He said Athens would not act unilaterally in the absence of a coordinated European initiative, which he described as unlikely at present.
His comments came as French President Emmanuel Macron also ruled out French involvement, despite earlier calls for a potential European role in the Strait of Hormuz.
European officials say the region remains strategically important, particularly due to potential economic impacts, including pressure on inflation from any disruption to energy supplies.
Greek officials also pointed to domestic constraints, noting that the country’s armed forces, particularly its navy, are operating near the limits of their overseas deployment capacity.
They added that Greece lacks the capabilities required to contribute effectively to a high-intensity naval mission involving advanced threats such as electronic warfare and unmanned systems.
Mitsotakis said Europe’s position could evolve depending on developments, but for now governments remain focused on avoiding deeper military involvement.