Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has ruled out sending a Greek naval vessel to the Strait of Hormuz, as he held talks in London with British Defence Secretary John Healey focused on the Iran conflict and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Asked whether Greece would deploy a ship to the strait, Dendias said the current situation in the wider region meant there was “no such possibility.”
The two ministers discussed the importance of Greece-UK cooperation in addressing geopolitical challenges, with particular reference to Cyprus.
Dendias underlined Greece’s heightened interest in the security of the Republic of Cyprus and briefed Healey on Athens’ security initiatives — both in relation to Cyprus and within the framework of Greece’s obligations to the EU and NATO, including cooperation with Bulgaria.
Both sides also discussed bilateral defence cooperation, with an emphasis on innovation and new technologies. The Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (ELKAK) was identified as playing a central role in bringing the two countries’ defence innovation ecosystems closer together.
The two ministers agreed on the importance of securing sea lanes, with Greece — as a leading maritime power — attaching particular weight to freedom of navigation. The UK was said to share the same approach. Both ministers agreed to remain in close contact for ongoing exchanges and coordination.
In a post on X, Dendias said the morning meeting had focused on the need for stability and security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean. “We exchanged views on the situation in Iran, the Middle East, Lebanon and Ukraine,” he wrote, adding that talks also covered strengthening defence cooperation between the Greek and British armed forces, “especially in the area of innovation and the use of unmanned systems, within the framework of Agenda 2030.”
Dendias described the current period as one of the most critical since the Second World War.
The London visit also included a meeting the previous day with UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, at which they discussed security threats and the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the Iran war, and Ukraine. Dendias said they had “exchanged ideas on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, Iran, Ukraine, as well as broader security threats.”
The Greek Defence Ministry said the visit was part of the ongoing strengthening of bilateral relations in defence, security and innovation, as well as the exchange of expertise on issues of common interest.
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