European Leaders Open to Help US in Middle East If More Information Given

Some European leaders saying they are not opposed to joining the U.S. in the current fighting as Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is raising oil prices across the globe. NDD's international correspondent Ariane Pazdar has the latest. We are willing to also invest in our relationship in the transatlantic partnership. The foreign policy chief of the European Union saying the bloc is open to strengthening ties with the U.S. This after President Trump called on NATO allies to assist with operations in the Middle East. Some European leaders now saying they're willing to help while adding that they need more information. We're a small nation but also we have our some maybe specific capabilities we will be ready to offer if there is a need for any kind of support to the U.S. or to free world countries as a coalition. The Estonian official added that similar to the European Union they're not opposed to helping if more information is provided. Meanwhile other European leaders are saying they won't get involved. The prime minister of Poland says his country won't send troops to Iran as the conflict does not directly affect Poland's security. Officials from Germany, the UK and others made similar remarks. One of the main concerns at the moment is Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz where 20 percent of all global oil trade flows through. French president Emmanuel Macron saying he's willing to assist the U.S. in reopening the Strait once the fighting subsides. When the core of the bombings has ceased we are ready along with other nations to take responsibility. This involves an escort system but it is a comprehensive task that is both political and technical involving all maritime transport actors insurers and operational aspects that we need to build. He added that other European countries and possibly India could help in escorting container ships and oil tankers. Various reports including some from Indian local media say the nation is still shipping oil through the Strait. However NTD can't independently verify those reports. The closure raises prices across the globe. Members of the International Energy Agency agreed to use 400 million barrels of oil stored in reserves across the globe. This is an important measure because it seeks to cushion market tensions in the face of this temporary situation. The European Union foreign policy chief suggested a deal similar to the one reached in the Black Sea in Ukraine where fighting was ongoing but international forces managed to reach a pact allowing longer trade to continue. Ariane Pastor, NTD News.