Dutch would have 'open mind' about possible Hormuz defense request, prime minister says

The Netherlands is open to helping protect trade in the Strait of Hormuz, but current security risks make immediate involvement impossible, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said. No formal request for participation has been received so far.

Bart Meijer/Reuters

March 17, 2026

Dutch would have 'open mind' about possible Hormuz defense request, prime minister says

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten visits an exhibition displaying destroyed Russian military vehicles, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 8, 2026.

Gleb Garanich/Reuters

The Netherlands would have "an open mind" about any request to contribute to a mission to protect trade flows in the Strait of Hormuz, but the current level of attacks there make it impossible to help now, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said on Monday.

No clear request to contribute to any mission in the Strait has been made yet, Jetten added during a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.

-Bart Meijer/Reuters