Europeans have capabilities the US lack to secure Hormuz Strait, Rutte says  | Euractiv

Europe has more minesweeping and clearing capabilities

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Europeans have heard the US’s call to help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and have the assets to counter Iranian mines laid in the strategic waterway.

NATO’s foreign ministers discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz –where traffic has been halted since the joint Israeli-US war in Iran started at the end of February – during a meeting in Helsingborg on Friday.

A coalition of around 40 countries, co-led by France and the United Kingdom, has committed to providing assets to secure the shipping route once a lasting ceasefire is reached.

The US has repeatedly criticised European allies over a perceived lack of support for its military operation, prompting US President Donald Trump to question the purpose of NATO altogether.