Denmark will participate in the international mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions.
Denmark announced on Sunday morning that it has officially joined a French-British declaration calling for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in a move reflecting growing international concern about the security of navigation in this vital waterway, according to the Danish Prime Minister's Office website, Statsministeriet.
International move to protect strategic corridor
The Danish Prime Minister's Office website, Statsministeriet, reported that France and the United Kingdom invited 51 countries to an international meeting to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and that Acting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen participated in this meeting.
The declaration stressed that the participating countries are calling for the reopening of the strait “unconditionally and immediately,” given its great importance to global trade, especially in the transport of oil and energy.
Support for maritime security and international cooperation
The Danish Prime Minister's Office website, Statsministeriet, explained that the countries supporting the declaration also support the efforts of the International Maritime Organization to ensure the safety of seafarers and ships.
The announcement also stated that France and Britain intend to establish “an independent, purely defensive, multinational mission to protect merchant ships.”.
The announcement stressed that this mission “will be purely defensive, and will operate in accordance with international law and in coordination with the countries concerned.”.
Broad international support for the initiative
The declaration was supported by a number of countries, including Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Somalia, Sweden, and Denmark.
Escalation on the ground increases tension
On the other hand, TV2 reported that tensions in the region escalated after Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz less than a day after announcing its reopening, reflecting a state of ongoing instability.
TV2 quoted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as saying in an interview: “We have not attacked anywhere, and we do not currently intend to attack anyone,” stressing that his country was not the one that started the war with the United States and Israel.
TV2 also noted statements by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said that there is still a long way to go before an agreement can be reached between Iran and the United States.
Growing concerns about global trade
These developments, according to TV2, reflect growing international concerns about the impact of closing the Strait of Hormuz on global trade and energy supplies, amid ongoing political and military tensions in the region.
