Defence Minister Theo Francken (Flemish nationalist N-VA) has confirmed via social media that Belgium “is joining the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ to guarantee free passage through the Strait of Hormuz”.
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Belgian defence minister Francken confirms Belgium willing to help secure Strait of Hormuz
Colin Clapson
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“We are working together with France and all other willing partners to achieve this strategic objective, as soon as conditions in the region allow, such as a ceasefire,” the minister said. “Freedom of navigation is essential for our security and economic stability.”
Monday morning, Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist Les Engagés) told Francophone radio that Belgium does indeed wish to participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz, as part of an international coalition and following a period of stability. Shipping through the strait of Hormuz, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is now hazardous and virtually at a standstill, following the US and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran. Prévot sees a role for Belgian minesweepers, for example, he said.
According to Prévot, Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist N-VA) was recently approached by French President Emmanuel Macron on this matter. Belgium will participate in a coalition of 32 countries, half of which are EU member states, and make a “proportionate contribution” to the efforts.
According to Prévot, this does not mean that Belgium supports the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began “outside the framework of international law”. However, the situation has an impact on European economies and must therefore be “managed”.