European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and France ​have mine clearance capacity which ‌could help secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, French Defence Minister Catherine ​Vautrin told French TV ​station TF1 on Friday.

“There are capabilities ⁠to provide fully supported escort ​services – that is to say, in ​no way offensive, of course – for ships to ensure safe passage through the strait; ​that is what will be ​debated today in Paris,” she added.

France and ‌Britain ⁠are set to chair on Friday a meeting of around 40 countries aimed at signalling to the United ​States that ​some ⁠of its closest allies are ready to play a ​role in restoring freedom ​of ⁠navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait typically carries about 20% of ⁠the ​world’s oil and ​liquefied natural gas flows, once conditions allow.