Denmark to send frigate to European-led mission in Gulf
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark said on Thursday that it will send a frigate with a crew of about 155 and a helicopter to a European-led military mission aimed at monitoring shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.
The mission was put together after Iran seized a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz in July. Regional tensions have risen sharply over Tehran's unraveling nuclear deal with world powers.
Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said that his country has a “special interest” in protecting maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, as it has a large merchant fleet.
He added that one or two Danish officers would be stationed at a French naval base in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as the main center for the European maritime surveillance mission. A coordinating U.S.-led mission will be run out of Bahrain.
The frigate is to be deployed for four months after the summer, pending parliamentary approval.
