Netherlands considers sending ships to Strait of Hormuz, decision pending

Moscow — The Netherlands is currently considering participating in a maritime protection mission in the Strait of Hormuz, but has not yet made a decision, said Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen on Monday.

“Regarding specific actions in the Strait of Hormuz, we will study what potentially might happen, what the problems are, and what can be done. This is an important decision and most importantly must be justified. For now, I have not made a decision,” Berendsen told journalists.

Berendsen argued that sending some ships to that important waterway would not resolve the security problems in the Middle East. The world is carefully monitoring the situation in the strait, he said.

He added that it would be worthwhile to consider opportunities for cooperation with several international partners.

Meanwhile, European Union Chief of Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas said foreign ministers from EU member states are considering options to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic. The foreign ministers held a meeting to discuss this in Brussels on Monday.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by attacking Israeli territory and American military facilities in the Middle East.

This escalation of conflict has resulted in a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is a primary shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas from Persian Gulf nations to global markets.

United States President Donald Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other countries to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.