Prolonged alert in Athens over the “fire” in the Middle East, with an eye on the Strait of Hormuz

As the situation in the Middle East becomes increasingly complex, Athens maintains a low profile, although officials are clearly concerned about the potential for widespread unrest from a large-scale conflict. Nevertheless, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has asserted that Greece will remain uninvolved, despite its strategic ties with Israel and the presence of NATO bases on its territory. The Souda base, where refueling tankers are stationed, has been pivotal for refueling B2 bombers that targeted Iranian nuclear sites with specialized bombs.

The Greek government, aligning with European sentiments, refrained from condemning the U.S. strike against Iranian bases, although it stopped short of giving full endorsement. In a message on Sunday, Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of returning to diplomatic discussions.

During the recent KYSEA (Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense) meeting at Maximos Mansion, Chief of General Staff Dimitris Choupis provided a comprehensive update on the evolving situation. The internal security framework was also evaluated based on strategies agreed upon ten days earlier. Sources indicated to protothema.gr that intelligence reports have shown no alarming activities, although authorities remain vigilant. A positive development for Greek officials is that many Israeli tourists stranded in Greece have successfully returned home. Discussions also covered the security status of crucial infrastructures, including the fortified Souda base and other NATO facilities in Greece.

The Hormuz Challenge

The most pressing concern pertains to the status of Greek-flagged or Greek-owned vessels navigating in the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran’s parliament has discussed its closure, no formal ban is in place, apart from heightened risks. It is evident that Iran views the closure of the strait as a strategic leverage point. However, any mining or blockage would also adversely affect Iranian-owned tankers transporting oil to China and across Asia.

According to sources from the Ministry of Shipping, the situation remains fluid. Last night, three Greek-flagged vessels were operating near the strait. Other ships in the area had charters necessitating entry into the Persian Gulf, accepting the inherent risks (these vessels are insured). The operations center of the Ministry of Shipping maintains regular communication with vessels in the region, updating NOTAMs every six hours and advising them to find the safest port possible to reduce risks.

NATO Meeting

With tensions in the Middle East overshadowing local political issues, Mitsotakis is expected to address this topic extensively in his meeting with President of the Republic Kostas Tasoulas today. Concurrently, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis is in Brussels for an emergency EU Foreign Ministers meeting.

This Sunday, Mitsotakis will head to the NATO Summit in The Hague, where President Trump will also be present, and the discussions are likely to shift significantly due to the developments in the Middle East. The primary issue thus far has been the proposed increase in defense spending to 5% of GDP over the coming years. According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, this target includes 3.5% strictly for defense and 1.5% for security and defense-related investments, encompassing infrastructure, industry, and resilience. The expected timeline for achieving this commitment is 2035, though it remains open for discussion among leaders.

Government sources indicate that Greece supports the Secretary General’s proposal, already exceeding 3% of GDP on defense spending and among the core NATO nations surpassing the current 2% GDP guideline. Recently, the Prime Minister unveiled Greece’s €28 billion defense procurement program extending over the next 12 years. At the summit, Mitsotakis will underscore Greece’s commitment to its obligations despite economic challenges and advocate for increased and strategically efficient investment in collective European defense to foster a robust European defense framework that complements NATO.