NATO Secretary General Gathers Up to 22 Countries to Focus on Securing the Strait of Hormuz

Washington (ANTARA) - As many as 22 countries, mostly NATO members, have participated in planning future security measures in the Strait of Hormuz since Thursday (19/3), said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday (22/3).

Previously, United States President Donald Trump stated that NATO’s credibility is increasingly eroded because the military alliance is reluctant to help the US in opening the shipping blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

“The good news is that since Thursday, a group consisting of 22 countries, mostly NATO members, has gathered to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is free and open as soon as possible,” Rutte told FOX News.

In addition to NATO countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain are also participating in the effort, he said. However, Rutte did not detail all the countries ready to take concrete steps.

“Clearly, military operations related to Iran are still ongoing. Therefore, we are working with these countries, and of course with the US, to determine what, when, and how we will do it,” said the former Dutch Prime Minister.

Previously, on 28 February, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, including Tehran, causing infrastructure damage and casualties. In response, Iran then carried out retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory and US military bases in the Middle East.

As a result of these tensions, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and LPG supplies from the Gulf region to global markets, has come to a complete halt.

The impact has led to many countries experiencing rises in fuel prices.