BRUSSELS, Aug 21 (Reuters) – NATO’s top commander convened a videoconference earlier this week to facilitate possible contributions to \u200bsupport freedom of navigation in the Strait of \u200cHormuz, his spokesperson told Reuters, adding that this is not a NATO mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cSupreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe hosted a \u200bmeeting of interested Allies at the chief of \u200bdefence level on Wednesday, 19 Aug 26, \u2060in order to facilitate their possible contributions to \u200bsupport freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” \u200ba spokesperson for the alliance’s top commander U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich said on Friday.<\/p>\n
Sign up here.<\/a><\/p>\n “To be clear, this is \u200bnot a NATO mission. But given NATO\u2019s unique \u200bstrengths in its ability to bring together Allies and understand the \u200ccapabilities \u2060they bring to bear, it makes sense for NATO to facilitate in this way,” the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n NATO allies have sought to avoid direct involvement in \u200bthe Iran conflict, \u200binstead focusing \u2060on plans outside the alliance to reopen the strait, which before February carried \u200babout a fifth of all traded oil.<\/p>\n France \u200band \u2060Britain have led efforts to build a coalition among roughly a dozen countries to guarantee safe passage \u2060through the \u200bstrait once tensions ease or \u200bthe conflict is resolved, though any long-term arrangement would ultimately require \u200bIranian acquiescence.<\/p>\n Reporting by Lili Bayer; Editing by David Gregorio<\/p>\n Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab<\/a><\/p>\n