The idea has the support of several members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization but has not yet gained the necessary unanimous support, a diplomat from a NATO country said, Bloomberg reports.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity.
The leaders of NATO countries will meet in Ankara on July 7-8. “The political direction is set first, and only then does formal planning occur,” said Alexus Grynkewich, Supreme Commander of NATO Allied Forces in Europe, when asked about the possibility at a press conference on Tuesday. “Is it on my mind? Definitely.”
Such a step would mean a change in the military alliance's strategy towards the US-Israel war in Iran. So far, allies have insisted that they will engage in actions in the strait only after the fighting ends and a broad coalition is formed, including many non-NATO countries.
Economic problems are deepening, and the closure of the strait is causing a sharp increase in energy prices and a decline in economic growth forecasts. It is unclear how NATO countries could guarantee the safe passage of commercial ships through the strait. A recent U.S. attempt to do so was halted within days of its launch, despite Washington's considerable military capabilities. A spokesman for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source: Bloomberg
