European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and France have mine clearance capacity that could help secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin tells French TV station TF1.
“There are capabilities to provide fully supported escort services — that is to say, in no way offensive, of course — for ships to ensure safe passage through the strait; that is what will be debated today in Paris,” she adds.
France and Britain are set to chair a meeting today of around 40 countries aimed at signaling to the United States that some of its closest allies are ready to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait typically carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
