Lithuania has approved plans to deploy up to 40 military personnel and specialists to international security missions in the Strait of Hormuz, with a primary focus on demining operations.
The Seimas on Thursday backed a proposal to expand a mandate approved late last year, allowing broader Lithuanian participation in missions operating in the strategically important waterway. The measure passed by 78 votes to seven, with three abstentions.
The strongest opposition came from the Nemunas Dawn party, where five MPs voted against the proposal, one abstained and one supported it. Two members of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union also abstained.
The deployment had previously received approval from the State Defence Council.
Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said Lithuanian personnel could contribute to both the UK- and France-led multinational mission aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and a separate US-led operation focused on maritime security and regional coordination.
Kaunas stressed that Lithuanian forces would be assigned exclusively to defensive roles, including demining, reconnaissance and protection tasks, rather than offensive operations.
He added that personnel could be deployed not only in the Strait of Hormuz itself but also in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
During parliamentary debates, lawmakers raised questions about technical and security risks, as well as the implications of taking part in a US-led initiative.
The defence minister said demining activities would only be carried out in secure conditions.
Lithuania already held a mandate to participate in the mission, but the revised resolution expands the scope of involvement by increasing the number of personnel that may be deployed and permitting participation in multiple international operations.
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