Lithuania will join the U.S. initiative regarding the Strait of Hormuz
Lithuania will join a U.S. international initiative to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating situation surrounding Iran.
This was reported by LRT.
A statement from the Lithuanian National Defense Council notes that, after reviewing proposals from the Ministry of Defense, the country has agreed to participate in international operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Specifically, Lithuania is ready to deploy up to 40 military personnel and civilian defense personnel
They will participate in joint operations alongside allies.
The Lithuanian side also announced its readiness to provide logistical support and access to its own military infrastructure for the needs of the U.S. and its partners
The State Defense Council has proposed that the government immediately begin procedures to launch the relevant mission.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s key maritime routes—about 20% of global oil and gas supplies pass through it.
Following attacks by the U.S. and Israel, Iran effectively blocked the strait, causing a sharp rise in global energy prices.
Although shipping traffic was partially restored after the first round of talks between Washington and Tehran, it was later threatened again due to a new escalation between the parties.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda previously reported that the United States had approached Vilnius with a proposal to join an international coalition to restore safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Qatari tanker Al Kharaitiyat, loaded with LNG, became the first vessel from the country to successfully navigate the blocked Strait of Hormuz since the start of the full-scale conflict with Iran.
Tens of millions of people could face the threat of hunger and malnutrition if fertilizer supplies are not restored unimpeded through the Strait of Hormuz in the near future.
