Ukrainian minesweepers may join the mission in the Strait of Hormuz — The Times
Four Ukrainian minesweepers, currently based in a British port, may join an international mission to restore safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, led by the United Kingdom and France.
This was reported by The Times.
According to the publication, Ukrainian naval officers will participate in a multinational planning summit to be held at the Joint Headquarters near London. Representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to attend the event to discuss resources for protecting shipping in the strategic region.
The Ukrainian side has stated its readiness to provide any of its available ships. This includes, in particular, two minesweepers transferred by the United Kingdom in 2023 for future demining of the Black Sea after the war ends.
According to a source in military circles, all four vessels are currently in Portsmouth and cannot be transferred to Ukraine for two reasons: the high risk of their destruction and the restrictions imposed by the Montreux Convention.
This 1936 agreement regulates the passage of military ships through the Bosphorus Strait and effectively prevents their movement into the Black Sea during wartime.
In addition to minesweepers, Ukraine is also considering assisting its allies by providing maritime drones or counter-drone capabilities to protect shipping from potential attacks.
In the long term, these vessels are expected to become an important part of Ukraine’s defense infrastructure, particularly in the field of maritime mine clearance.
As a reminder, the U.S. military recently struck the vessel Touska, which was attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under the Iranian flag despite the blockade.
Recall that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not consider the war with Iran to be over.
Official Tehran refused to participate in the second round of peace talks with the United States, which were to take place in Islamabad.
Iran rejected Trump’s claims regarding the transfer of uranium to the U.S. and accused him of manipulation.
