The 8th European Political Community (EPC) Summit was held in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on Monday with the theme "Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe".
Leaders from nearly 50 countries participated, including all 27 EU member states, to discuss pressing issues such as economic and energy security, the European Union (EU)-U.S. relations, and the necessity for Europe to pursue "defense autonomy" to reduce its reliance on the United States.
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were also present at the summit.
At the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the unpredictability of the United States as an ally, urging Europe to enhance solidarity and cooperation.
Noting that Europe is increasing its defense and security spending while developing its own solutions. Macron said that France and Britain are forming an international naval coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Europe to take a more proactive role within the NATO, arguing that the continent has been "behind the curve for too long" in matters of defense.
The European Political Community is an intergovernmental forum that facilitates political and strategic dialogue about the future of Europe.
EU-US ties, energy security takes center stage at EPC Summit in Armenia
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday unveiled a map outlining a new "area of control" in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes, according to the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
The zone extends from the southern Iranian coast near Kooh Mobarak to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) port city of Fujairah on the east, and westward to a line between Iran's Qeshm Island and the UAE emirate of Umm al-Quwain in the Persian Gulf.
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi said that the announcement did not represent a change in the overall management of the waterway, according to a report by IRGC's Sepah News outlet. Commercial vessels following transit protocols set by the Guard Navy and coordinating with Iranian authorities along designated routes would be allowed safe passage, he said. Vessels violating those rules could be stopped by force, he warned.
The announcement came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would help guide ships stranded in the strait out of restricted waters on Monday.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquaters -- the country's top military command -- responded by warning that any foreign forces, particularly U.S. troops, would be targeted if they attempted to enter or approach the strait, according to the official IRNA news agency.
Also on Monday, two missiles struck a U.S. Navy frigate in the strait after it ignored an Iranian warning, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The vessel had been sailing near the port of Jask in what Iran described as a violation of maritime security rules. The frigate could not continue on its course after the strikes and withdrew from the area, the report said.
However, according to a subsequent report by Axios, a senior U.S. official denied that a U.S. ship was hit by Iranian missiles.
Brad Cooper, chief of U.S. Central Command, told a news conference on Monday the U.S. military had sunk six small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz with air strikes from Apache and MH 60 Seahawk helicopters.
However, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency rejected U.S. claims of sinking Iranian boats.
Iran began tightening its grip on the strait on Feb. 28, restricting passage for vessels liked to Israel and the United States after the two countries launched joint strikes on Iranian territory. The United States later imposed its own blockade measures after post-cease-fire talks between the two countries in Islamabad on April 11-12 failed to produce an agreement.
Iran's IRGC unveils map of new "area of control" in Strait of Hormuz
