🔻NATO says its senior commander held a meeting with several member countries

🔻NATO says its senior commander of this alliance held a meeting with the participation of a number of member countries to examine their possible role in supporting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but emphasized that this action is not «a NATO mission.»

The spokesperson for Gen. Aleksos Greenković, the Supreme Commander of NATO’s Allied Forces in Europe, told Reuters that the meeting was held on Wednesday, August 19, at the level of the defense chiefs of staff of interested countries, to facilitate their possible participation in supporting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

He said that NATO has taken on the coordinating role because of its ability to bring together member countries and assess their military capabilities.

So far, NATO member states have tried to avoid the alliance’s direct involvement in a clash with Iran and have instead discussed plans outside the NATO framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

France and Britain are leading efforts to form an alliance of about 12 countries, the aim of which is to ensure the safe passage of ships through the strait after tensions ease or fighting ends.

📸AFP via Getty Images