The Netherlands will send a mine-sweeping ship to the Mediterranean Sea as part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operation to allow for a rapid deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, if a mission there is agreed after the Iran war ends, ministers said on Wednesday in a letter to parliament.
The mine-sweeping ship, which departed this week, will be able to contribute to the NATO mine-laying group from mid-June, said a letter from Defense Minister Dilan Yesligoz and Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, Al Arabiya reported from Reuters (27/5).
They said preparations were being made for a possible Dutch role in ensuring safe shipping lanes in the Gulf region.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said several countries were "preparing" logistical and other support such as mine-hunting ships and minesweeping vessels near the Gulf to prepare for any possible mission in the strait, a global waterway vital for oil and gas transport.
One option for the Netherlands is to deploy a joint team for search, dive and explosive ordnance disposal.
The letter also said the Netherlands was assessing whether it could contribute staff capacity to any international coalition involved in the mission.
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