STANDARDDIPLOMATICVERIFIED
NATO Rutte: allies discussing 'best way' to reopen Hormuz; UK military planners working with US on options
·Brussels, Belgium / London, UK
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said allies were discussing the 'best way' to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed to the US and its allies. UK military planners are working with the US to develop options for reopening the waterway, per CBS News. Trump had earlier suggested other countries 'be responsible' for Hormuz after some nations rejected his demands to send warships.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters that alliance members were discussing the 'best way' to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to allied shipping. The strait has been effectively closed to the US and its allies since early in the Iran war, causing surging oil prices and disrupting global supply chains including aid shipments.
UK military planners are working with the US to develop concrete options for reopening the waterway, CBS News reported. Trump had already suggested other countries 'be responsible' for the strait after some nations — including EU members — rejected his direct demands to send warships to the region. Japanese PM Takaichi's meeting with Trump in Washington Thursday is also expected to address Japan's potential role in Hormuz escort operations.
3,200+ vessels remain trapped or rerouted due to the Hormuz closure, causing the EU and Asia to absorb compounding economic shocks on top of refinery strike disruptions.
NATORutteHormuzUKUSreopeningdiplomaticStrait of Hormuz
Actor responses
Trump: other countries should 'be responsible' for Hormuz. US working with UK military planners on options to reopen the strait. Japan PM meeting in Washington addresses Hormuz role.
Rutte: NATO allies discussing 'best way' to reopen Strait of Hormuz. No specific commitment on force deployment announced.
Sources