France and Germany Seek Role in Strait of Hormuz Amid Tensions

Asian and other regional outlets focus on whether France and Germany are mainly trying to 'manage their irrelevance' in Gulf security compared with the United States and regional powers. They note that while European leaders talk about coordinating more than 15 countries, hard power in the Strait of Hormuz still rests with the US Navy, Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Gulf fleets. Commentators also point out that Asian economies, which rely heavily on Gulf oil, have a direct stake in any new shipping arrangements.

• •Regional commentary argues that France and Germany are using the Hormuz initiative to show they still matter in Middle East security debates.
• •Writers in Asia highlight that European navies have limited assets in the Gulf compared with the United States and Iran.
• •Some regional outlets stress that Asian importers of Gulf oil, including China, Japan and South Korea, will bear the economic cost if Hormuz traffic is disrupted.
• •Commentary questions whether a European-led group of more than 15 countries can act decisively without clear backing from Washington and Gulf capitals.
• •Regional reporting notes that shipping companies in Asia are watching for concrete details on escort arrangements, insurance terms and risk premiums through Hormuz.