NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that member states are considering the “best way” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies.
Speaking during a visit to a NATO military exercise in northern Norway, Rutte noted that allies were in agreement on the need to restore access to the vital shipping lane.
“I have been in contact with many allies. We all agree, of course, that strait has to open up again. And what I know is that allies are working together, discussing how to do that, what is the best way to do it,” he said.
“They are working on that collectively, to find a way forward,” Rutte added.
Donald Trump has called on global powers to deploy warships to escort oil tankers through the strait, which is crucial for transporting oil and liquefied natural gas worldwide.
Iran has effectively shut the waterway following a conflict involving the United States and Israel, leading to a surge of more than 40 per cent in global oil prices.
On Tuesday, Trump criticised NATO’s response, saying “NATO is making a very foolish mistake” by not providing assistance. He also questioned the alliance’s reliability, stating he had long wondered whether NATO would support the United States in times of need.
The US president, who returned to office in January 2025, has consistently urged NATO members to increase defence spending and has previously raised concerns about Washington’s continued commitment to the alliance.