Lithuania plans to join US mission in Strait of Hormuz

Lithuania is planning to take part in a US-organised mission in the Strait of Hormuz, and a military unit is undergoing training, Deividas Matulionis, the chief national security adviser to the Lithuanian president, has stated.

However, he said at the operational level, Lithuania still does not have a final answer; the decision will be made in the near future, Caliber.Az reports, citing Lithuanian media.

According to him, approval from the government and parliament would still be required.

“First, we will still have to wait for the government to present the mandate, meaning the Seimas must amend the resolution on this specific mission — those 40 soldiers or civilian national defence system employees in the Strait of Hormuz, which I hope will not take long,” he added.

Matulionis expressed hope that parliament would approve the deployment.

He noted that Lithuania’s participation could help ease oil and gas prices, adding that Lithuanian specialists have significant expertise in demining operations and are expected to contribute in that area.

The Lithuanian National Defence Council had previously proposed sending up to 40 military personnel and civilian staff to help secure maritime navigation in the strategic waterway.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov