Italy Prepares 4 Warships to Clean Mines in the Strait of Hormuz

JAKARTA - Italy has prepared four of its ships for possible deployment in the framework of a mine clearance mission in the Strait of Hormuz.

"The plan proposed by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, for precautionary purposes, includes the formation of a group consisting of two minesweeping vessels, a guard unit, and a logistics support unit, which will allow us to extend the period of duty," said the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, as reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Thursday, April 23.

"In total there will be four ships," he said.

"Italy's participation in the mission plan is prepared within the framework of an international coalition," the Italian Navy Chief of Staff said.

He said a number of other countries, including France, Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium, would also deploy their mine-sweeping vessels to the Strait of Hormuz.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched an attack on a number of targets in Iran, including in Tehran, which caused damage and civilian casualties.

Iran then retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East as a form of self-defense.

The escalation led to the suspension of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key route for oil and natural gas supplies from Persian Gulf countries to global markets.

The situation has resulted in soaring oil prices in many countries.