Finland Ready to Discuss Strait of Hormuz Operations with European Union and NATO

Moscow (ANTARA) — Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated that she would discuss the potential for freedom of navigation operations in the Strait of Hormuz with her partners and allies in the European Union and NATO.

“Today in Brussels and in the coming days, we will hold discussions with partners in the European Union and NATO regarding the possibility of operations to ensure the Strait remains open, both for the present and the future,” Valtonen told Euronews on Tuesday.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has come to an almost complete standstill amid escalating violence in the Middle East. The Strait represents the primary shipping route for oil and gas exports from the Persian Gulf, accounting for approximately 20 per cent of global oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas trade.

The Strait of Hormuz has faced geopolitical and economic disruptions since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran, including Tehran on 28 February.

The attacks resulted in damage, civilian casualties, and the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran subsequently responded by attacking Israeli territory and American military facilities in the Middle East.

The attacks were initially claimed by the United States and Israel as preventative strikes against threats deemed to stem from Iran’s nuclear programme, but they subsequently clarified that their objective was to effect a change of power in Iran.