NATO prepares to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reports

A senior alliance official said the NATO mission could be launched if this strategic waterway is not reopened by early July. The proposal has already received support from several member states, but the alliance still lacks unanimous backing for a final decision.

The issue is expected to be one of the key topics at the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara, scheduled for July 7–8. At the same time, it remains unclear how exactly alliance countries could guarantee safe passage for commercial ships through the strait.

Earlier, allies insisted that NATO involvement in operations in the strait would only be possible after a full cessation of hostilities and the formation of a broad international coalition.

However, senior officials note that even countries currently opposing a military mission would likely have to rally behind the idea if the blockade drags on.

Causes of the logistics crisis

Iran completely blocked the Strait of Hormuz at the end of February after the start of a military operation by the United States and Israel. About one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through this strategic waterway.

Since then, the logistics crisis has become a major source of tension between Washington and its European NATO allies, who have refused to comply with the US President’s demands to forcibly reopen maritime routes.

Iran plans to introduce fees for the use of submarine cables that carry internet traffic between Gulf countries.

The UAE will accelerate construction of a new oil pipeline to double its export capacity through the port of Fujairah. The project is expected to be completed by 2027.