Belgium open to deploying minehunters in Strait of Hormuz

ISTANBUL

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot signaled openness Monday to a possible deployment of the country's minehunters in the Strait of Hormuz once the situation stabilizes.

Speaking to local radio, as cited by Belga news agency, Prevot said Belgium is open to helping secure the strait within an international coalition, adding that its minehunters could be deployed once conditions allow.

He noted that French President Emmanuel Macron recently raised the issue with Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and that Belgium could join a 32-country coalition with a "proportionate share."

Prevot stressed that participation in such a mission should not be seen as endorsing the US-Israeli intervention in Iran, which he said began "outside international law." He added that the situation must be "managed" given its impact on European economies, cautioning that "one should not declare victory too soon" in response to Washington's claims that a regime change has been achieved in Iran.

"Belgium will join the coalition of the willing to guarantee the free maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz," Defense Minister Theo Francken also confirmed on US social media company X.

He said Belgium is working with France and other partners toward this goal "once conditions in the region will allow for it, such as a ceasefire."

"Freedom of navigation is essential for our security and economic stability," Francken added.

On March 2, Iran announced restrictions on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for oil tankers, threatening to attack any vessels attempting to pass without coordination. About 20 million barrels of oil transit the strait daily, and its effective closure has driven up oil prices and shipping and insurance costs, triggering global economic concerns.

The entire region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched an air offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing over 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.