NATO is weighing a naval deployment to the Strait of Hormuz after the waterway has been closed since late February, a move that has sent global oil prices sharply higher. The alliance’s deliberations come as the United States and Israel continue an air campaign against Iran, raising the risk of broader disruption to the world’s most critical oil corridor.

NATO weighs mission as Strait closure stretches into July

According to the report, NATO officials are preparing a contingency plan that could see warships patrolling the Hormuz channel if the blockage persists through July. The proposed operation would aim to guarantee the free flow of oil tankers, a task traditionally handled by individual navies rather than a collective alliance. Deploying under a NATO banner would mark the first time the alliance has considered a standing presence in the Persian Gulf for oil‑security purposes.

Oil prices jump as Hormuz shut since late February

The closure, triggered by the U.S. and Israel’s air strikes on Iranian targets, has already pushed Brent crude above $90 a barrel, according to market data cited in the source. analysts warn that any further escalation could push prices toward $100, tightening global fuel supplies and pressuring economies still recovering from pandemic‑era shocks. Consumers in Europe and Asia are likely to feel the impact first, as transport fuels become more expensive.

Only Spain balks at US base use for NATO logistics

While most NATO members have permitted the United States to operate out of their bases for logistical support,Spain has refused, citing domestic political concerns. This split highlights the alliance’s uneven appetite for deeper involvement in the Middle East and may complicate any rapid deployment. The Spanish stance could force NATO to rely more heavily on U.S. facilities in Turkey, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Iran‑US‑Israel air war fuels strategic shift in NATO policy

The ongoing air campaign against Iran has forced NATO to reassess its traditional focus on Europe‑centric deterrence. As the war in Iran drags on, alliance leaders are debating whether a more proactive role in the Gulf is warranted. Sources say senior officials view a Hormuz mission as a signal of solidarity with Gulf states, but also worry about being drawn into a direct confrontation with Tehran.

Will NATO secure the strait before July?

The biggest unanswered question is whether the alliance can mobilise a credible force in time to reopen the waterway before the end of July .. The report notes that no timeline has been set for a decision, and that the success of any mission will depend on diplomatic clearance from Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Without a clear mandate, the plan risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than an effective security solution.