How Europe might help re-opening Strait of Hormuz, after the ‘hot war’
Sole military options are proving inadequate to re-open the Strait. Strategic thinking on diplomatic solutions are needed. The EU’s experience and leadership could be key.
Energy
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Listen: Can Europeans actually reduce our gas consumption?
High gas prices are hitting European households hard amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. Can the EU effectively cut consumption?
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Trump’s military options to secure Hormuz and end the war, explained
As Qatar’s gas stops flowing to Europe and Iran chokes the Strait of Hormuz, energy prices are surging and tensions have spiked. US threats raise the stakes — but reopening this vital artery is far from simple, with risky military options, asymmetric warfare, and the looming threat of mined waters hanging over global trade. Here are some basic questions and answers.
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EU postpones Russian oil-ban, as Iran energy shock aggravates rifts
Russian oil deliveries to Hungary jumped from 61 percent of its imports in 2021 to 93 percent in 2025 despite the Ukraine war.
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Listen: Will the EU carbon market pay the price of the energy crisis?
Europeans are looking for answers to the energy crisis. Several EU member states are proposing to revise how the carbon market works, so that it weighs less on prices. But could this actually make a difference?
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Hungary veto on Ukraine and carbon market to hijack EU summit
Hungary’s veto on Ukraine money is to hijack the spotlight at Thursday’s EU summit in Brussels, alongside disagreements over Europe’s carbon market — overshadowing what was meant to be a key debate on turning Europe into a truly economic powerhouse.
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Listen: Which EU countries are switching back to nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy is no longer just a French affair. Brussels is changing its tune, and even the European Commission now sees a future where nuclear plays a key role in Europe’s energy mix. But here’s the real question: how many countries are quietly making a comeback to nuclear power?
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Listen: Why Europe won’t blindly follow Donald Trump’s call to secure the Strait of Hormuz?
Trump pressures allies as tensions rise over the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran restricts oil flows and prices surge. Europe resists Nato involvement, urging caution and clarity while weighing limited action. Will the EU support US calls or chart its own course amid escalating geopolitical stakes and fragile energy security?
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THIS WEEK: EU summit on Iran war and support for Kyiv, plus Slovenia election and ‘EU Inc’ top agenda
All 27 EU leaders meet on Thursday in Brussels to discuss Ukraine support, energy prices, security risks from the Iran war and competitiveness. At the start of the week, foreign affairs ministers will address Iran sanctions, maritime security and Lebanon. Also this week, the EU commission will unveil its “EU Inc” proposal, while MEPs are expected to finally vote on the US-EU trade deal from July. Slovenia has national elections on Sunday.
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Blaming the Green Deal for rising energy prices is simple — but wrong
As European energy ministers meet on Monday (16 March) to discuss Europe’s new Energy Package, the continent faces a strategic choice. At a time of renewed geopolitical instability, with the illegal war in the Middle East that is shaking global energy markets, we must use the Green Deal to strengthen competitiveness, boost energy sovereignty and affordability, and lead in the industries of the future, write the Socialists & Democrats.
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EU governments face ‘no immediate concerns’ on oil supply amid record emergency release
The EU’s bodies on oil and gas supply held meetings on Thursday morning following the International Energy Agency’s decision to open access to 400m barrels of reserves.
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Russian fossil-fuel daily revenues up 14% since start of US-Israel attack on Iran
Russia has earned an estimated €6bn in fossil-fuel, or €510m per day, since the attacks on Iran, according to a new analysis published on Thursday.
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Listen: Should Europeans fear a new energy crisis with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran is now blocking the Strait of Hormuz, through which one in five barrels of oil and a quarter of the world’s liquefied natural gas transit. As oil and gas prices rise, should Europeans be worried about a new energy crisis?
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What the 2022 energy crisis taught us about inflation — and why it matters now with Iran
The European Central Bank itself has repeatedly said over the years that its policies are ineffective when dealing with energy shocks.
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What Israeli-US attacks on Iran mean for EU oil and gas prices
The European gas price was 40 percent higher on Monday after Qatar halted liquid gas production.
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Russian fossil-fuel revenue plunges as ‘shadow fleet’ oil increases, report finds
Four years since the invasion of Ukraine, a new report finds Russia’s fossil-fuel revenue is down nearly a quarter since 2022, with the EU reducing its reliance on Russian energy — but the Kremlin is still finding ways to move its fuel.
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EU touts ‘big interest’ in Algeria’s gas and green hydrogen
The EU wants to increase its stake in Algeria’s gas and green hydrogen supplies, the bloc’s energy commissioner said on Thursday.