Greece has no plans to participate in any military operation in the Strait of Hormuz, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis has said, stressing that Athens does not intend to become involved in the widening conflict in the Middle East.
Responding to questions during a press briefing about the possibility that the European Union might expand the naval mission Operation Aspides to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, Mr. Marinakis said Greece’s participation remains limited to the Red Sea.
“There is no issue of our country’s involvement in the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr. Marinakis said, noting that Operation Aspides is specifically tasked with protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Mr. Marinakis said that Greece continues to call on Iran to refrain from actions that could disrupt maritime navigation and to respect international law.
“Our country has no intention of becoming involved in the war,” Mr. Marinakis said, urging a return to diplomacy amid heightened regional tensions.
The spokesman also rejected opposition claims that a new agreement with Chevron could undermine Greece’s sovereign rights, saying the deal in fact reinforces Athens’ position against the disputed maritime accord between Turkey and Libya.
Addressing questions about Greece’s wiretapping scandal, Mr. Marinakis said the country’s top court, the Areios Pagos, had already ruled there was no evidence of responsibility by state officials.
On the domestic economy, Mr. Marinakis said the government was monitoring possible price pressures linked to the Middle East crisis but insisted current support measures were sufficient for now.
He said additional assistance could be activated if necessary, within the limits of Greece’s fiscal capacity.
The spokesman also defended government measures to cap fuel profit margins in island regions and said contingency plans were in place should energy prices rise further.