Rutte Claims 22-Country Coalition Forming to Secure Strait of Hormuz

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that 22 countries — most NATO members, along with Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, and Bahrain — have come forward to address security in the Strait of Hormuz. Rutte said he was 'absolutely convinced' the alliance could reopen the strait and that countries were 'now planning' the operation. However, critics noted the coalition lacked concrete military commitments and that many European states had only signed a political statement without pledging forces.