Rome is skeptical about expanding the current EU naval mission Aspides in the Red Sea to include operations ensuring passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking in Brussels at a Monday meeting of EU foreign ministers, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that expanding the Aspides mission would be "complicated," as it was originally conceived as an anti-piracy operation, whereas any operation in the Strait of Hormuz would be defensive in nature.

"We are ready to strengthen the Aspides mission, … but I do not think it can be extended to the Strait of Hormuz," Tajani was quoted as saying by ANSA, Italy's national news agency.