Commercial and other traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East, which historically has been used by some 20% of the world’s crude oil transports, is threatened by the instability of Iran, which is fighting a coalition of America and Israel intended to make sure it doesn’t get nuclear weapons.
It has, after all, repeatedly threatened to wipe Israel off the map and has had similar thoughts about the “Great Satan,” the United States.
Many parts of the world’s economy count on having that trade route open, and now the United States is getting an offer of help from an unlikely source: An ally that is landlocked and has no navy.
A report at Fox confirms it is the Czech Republic that now is prepared to help protect freedom of navigation in the Strait.
Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka told Fox News Digital that Prague has discussed contributing its capabilities to help security there.
“We are ready to contribute to freedom of passage and the Hormuz trade,” Macinka said. “We were among the first countries that were ready to contribute … We have no navy, as we are in the middle of Europe. But we have some unique passive surveillance capabilities.”
He said his nation has concerns about the global threat that Iran offers.
He said, “Their nuclear military program must be stopped. It’s a global risk and global threat.”
His comments came even as President Donald Trump has said that negotiations with Iran are continuing, and the end could be in sight soon, but there’s nothing confirmed yet.
He also has put pressure on Europe to take a larger role in opposing Iran’s agenda and protecting international trade.
Trump even has suggested the U.S. may pull out of NATO over its lack of support for America.
The Czech Republic has supported those calls for NATO to step up.
Macinka, who confirmed his nation has access to some unique surveillance options, said, “We should do our homework and build our defense to become stronger.”
He added, “We are friends of Israel, and we are friends of America. Especially me as a politician, I’m a friend of the ideology of the current American administration.”
