Despite mounting pressures from the United States, Poland will not deploy military forces to Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.
Tusk insists that Poland has other priorities now: security challenges closer to home.
Speaking ahead of a government meeting, Tusk stated unequivocally that Poland “does not plan any expedition to Iran”, adding that the decision has been clearly communicated to allies and has not generated objections within NATO or other Western partnerships.
His remarks come as Washington urges allied support in response to Iran’s continued disruption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint.
Over the weekend, American President Donald Trump called on partner nations to contribute naval or logistical support to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian forces have intensified attacks and threats against commercial shipping.
The escalation between Iran and the USA is now in its third week, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
Poland, however, is prioritizing its own regional security concerns. Tusk emphasized that the country’s military resources (including land, air, and naval forces) remain heavily committed to strengthening defenses along NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Poland has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters since 2022 — and is a declared enemy of Russia’s.
“The security of the Baltic Sea remains a central element of Poland’s strategic focus”, Tusk stated, signaling that Warsaw intends to concentrate its military posture on deterrence and defense in its immediate neighborhood rather than participate in operations in the Persian Gulf.
Poland’s stance aligns with a broader reluctance among several European allies to become directly involved in the Hormuz crisis.
Countries like Germany, Spain, and Italy have also indicated that they have no immediate plans to deploy naval forces to the region, despite the growing risks to global shipping and energy supplies. Iran has effectively constrained movement through the strait through a combination of direct attacks, seizures, and credible threats. This has already heightened volatility in international markets.
