EU envoy seeks more vessels to secure Hormuz navigation once the war in Iran ends

LIMASSOL, Cyprus (AP) — The European Union’s foreign policy chief said Thursday securing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran war ends will require more ships, including more vessels from Europe, and the expansion of a current EU naval mission.

The EU mission in the Red Sea — dubbed Aspides, from the Greek for “shield” — is comprised of three vessels that protect shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas used to pass prior to the war, sits at the southern end of the Red Sea.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said after a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers that the operational plans for Aspides may have to be amended, depending on additional requirements such as specialized vessels to clear mines from the strait.

“But it mostly needs more ships,” she said, adding that an additional vessel will join the Aspides operation, without providing any details.

The EU earlier this year extended Aspides’ mandate until the end of February 2027 with an additional 15 million euros ($17.5 million) in funding.

France and the U.K. are also mulling their own naval force to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end.

An EU official said the bloc was in discussions about possibly merging Operation Aspides with the Franco-British force, but much still needs to be ironed out regarding under whose authority a joint force would operate. The official was speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to talk publicly about the negotiations.

Shipping costs increased after the war in Iran began on Feb. 28, due to high insurance premiums. The EU official said costs were unlikely to go down for at least another year after an end to hostilities, noting that it’s now cheaper for ships to travel around the African continent than to traverse the Red Sea.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos talks to the media during the Informal meeting of Foreign ministers, in the port city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, right, and Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos talk to the media after the Informal meeting of EU Foreign ministers, in the port city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas talks to the media after the Informal meeting of EU Foreign ministers, in the port city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, right, and Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos talk to the media after the Informal meeting of EU Foreign ministers, in the port city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas talks to the media after the Informal meeting of EU Foreign ministers, in the port city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

NEW YORK (AP) — A day after the President Donald Trump -affiliated Freedom 250 announced the “first wave” of performers for “The Great American State Fair” shows on Washington's National Mall in June and July, Milli Vanilli and Morris Day are among the scheduled acts who have said they will not be appearing.

Day and Young MC issued statements on social media disputing Wednesday's announcement from Freedom 250, while Milli Vanilli singer Jodie Rocco told The Associated Press that neither she, her sister Linda Rocco nor any of the other group members had been asked to come.

“My sister and I were shocked to see our name, ‘Milli Vanilli’, as one of the performers,” Jodie Rocco wrote in an email.

A Freedom 250 spokesperson did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment. Freedom 250, which Trump launched late last year, describes itself as a “national, non-partisan organization leading the celebration of our Nation’s 250th birthday.” Trump appointed Keith Krach, who served as an under secretary of state during his first term, as the organization’s CEO.

Trump and his supporters have long had a contentious relationship with the music community; Celine Dion, Elton John and Guns ’N Roses are among the many artists who have objected to their music being played at Trump rallies.

In an Instagram post, Young MC questioned whether the National Mall shows would be nonpartisan. “The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” he wrote, adding that he hoped to “perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.” Day posted on Instagram that “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at the 'GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR.”

Milli Vanilli and Young MC were to have appeared at an “I Love the 90s” concert on June 26. Day was listed for June 27. Other performers announced include the Commodores, Flo Rida and Martina McBride. The Great American State Fair is scheduled to run June 25-July 10.

At least one “I Love the 90s” act will be there: Vanilla Ice.

“He is proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!” a representative for the “Ice Ice Baby” rapper wrote in an email to the AP. “Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate USA’s Birthday and our Freedom!”

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 1992 file photo, Fabrice Morvan, left, and Rob Pilatus of Milli Vanilli perform during the taping of the Arsenio Hall Show in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Craig Fujii, File)

FILE - Young MC performs during the "I Love The 90's" tour on Aug. 7, 2022, at RiverEdge Park in Aurora, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)