Netherlands deploys minesweeper amid Hormuz contingency planning

AMSTERDAM, May 27 (Reuters) - ‌The Netherlands ​will ​send a minesweeper to the Mediterranean Sea as part of NATO operations ‌to allow a possible rapid deployment to the ⁠Strait of Hormuz, should a mission there be ‌agreed once the Iran war ‌ends, ministers said on Wednesday in a letter to parliament.

• The minesweeper, departing this ​week, will be able to contribute to the NATO standing mine countermeasures group from ⁠mid-June, the letter from defence minister Dilan Yesligoz and foreign minister ​Tom Berendsen said.

• They said preparations were under way for a possible Dutch ​role in ensuring safe shipping ‌routes in the Gulf region.

• NATO chief Mark Rutte has said several ⁠countries are "pre-positioning" logistical and other support such as minehunters and minesweepers near the Gulf to be ⁠ready for any possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz, ​a crucial global waterway for oil and gas transport.

• One option for the Dutch could be to deploy ‌a combined team for search, diving 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.

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Alison ‌Williams)

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