politics
U.S. Invites NATO Allies to Join Maritime Security Initiative in Strait of Hormuz
The United States has invited all NATO allies to participate in a Washington-led maritime security initiative in the Strait of Hormuz. Britain and France are proceeding with a separate defensive effort to secure the waterway, which carries about 20 percent of global petroleum supply. Several countries have signaled support for one or both initiatives following a ceasefire.
May 15, 4:58 PM·2m read1 source
rte.ieAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
com. Britain and France are moving forward with their own separate effort to secure the chokepoint as Western governments pursue overlapping tracks to restore freedom of navigation. The U.K. and France have emphasized that their initiative is distinct from the proposed U.S. approach and remains defensive in nature.
com the joint French-U.K. initiative is entirely separate from the United States’ approach. Sabīne Janisela, the press and public diplomacy counselor for the Embassy of Latvia, confirmed that all NATO allies including Latvia have received the invitation to join the U.S.-led initiative.
Latvia supports the multilateral efforts to ensure maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and welcomes both the joint French-U.K. and U.S. initiatives. Belgium is joining the initiative led by the United Kingdom and France to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines and guarantee safe passage.
Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Jordens said Belgium is offering specific expertise in mine clearance but strictly within a defensive framework under an international mandate and following a ceasefire. The Belgian government must still take the final decision once the ceasefire is in place.
South Korea has signaled openness to supporting maritime security efforts in the strait. net citing South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz accounted for roughly 20 percent of global petroleum supply at 20 million barrels per day in 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
