NATO is contemplating measures to assist shipping through the obstructed Strait of Hormuz if the passage remains closed after early July, as indicated by a senior official within the military alliance. While the notion has garnered backing from several NATO member countries, it lacks unanimous consensus, according to an anonymous diplomat. NATO leaders are scheduled to convene in Ankara on July 7-8 to discuss further actions.
NATO’s supreme allied commander for Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, expressed consideration of this initiative, emphasizing the need for political approval before any formal planning can commence. The potential intervention would mark a significant shift in NATO’s approach to the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Previously, NATO members stated their involvement would only occur once hostilities ceased, allowing for a broader coalition that includes non-NATO nations.
With energy prices surging due to the strait’s closure and economic forecasts declining, the urgency for intervention is increasing. Though some members are still hesitant to engage in the conflict, a growing number recognize the strategic necessity of ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels. There is also acknowledgment that the current situation adversely impacts all allied economies, thereby affecting their military capabilities in the long term.
Despite NATO’s overall desire to see the strait reopened, member responses to the war in Iran have varied, with countries like Spain firmly opposing military actions while others provide logistical support. A coalition led by France and the UK is in the process of formulating a strategy to secure navigation in the strait, aiming to respond effectively once hostilities diminish.
Share it now
