NATO member countries held a videoconference on August 19 at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe to discuss potential contributions to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. France and the United Kingdom have taken the lead in a multinational coalition of about a dozen nations focused on maritime security and demining operations, without formal NATO involvement. The strategic waterway carries roughly 20% of the world’s traded oil, and new restrictions imposed in February 2026 amid escalating US-Iran tensions have turned it into a critical flashpoint. Any lasting solution will require cooperation from Iran, which controls the northern shore and has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to threaten commercial shipping through the strait.
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