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Brussels : NATO's top commander General Alexus Grynkewich hosted defence chiefs from interested Allied countries to discuss possible support for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but the alliance stressed that the effort is not a NATO mission.
The meeting was held by videoconference on Wednesday, August 19, to help countries coordinate what contributions they could make to support safe shipping through the strategic waterway.
NATO allies have avoided direct involvement in the Iran conflict and are instead considering an operation outside the alliance to help reopen the strait.
Britain and France are leading efforts to form a coalition of about 12 countries to secure maritime passage once tensions ease or the conflict ends.
The Strait of Hormuz previously carried about one-fifth of global oil trade. Any long-term arrangement to guarantee shipping would ultimately require Iran's agreement.
