It is unlikely that Finland will participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz, according to Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP).
He made the comments on Yle's TV programme A-Studio on Monday night — following news that US President Donald Trump had called on allies to defend the waterway amid American and Israeli attacks on Iran and neighbouring Middle Eastern countries.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as the main oil export corridor for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, and Iran. Under normal circumstances, the waterway carries around a quarter of the oil used around the world
However, Iran has vowed to block the world's busiest oil shipping channel.
According to Häkkänen, Finland does not even necessarily have the resources or capabilities to send assistance to the region, even if it would benefit Finland.
"[Participating] would be beneficial for the Finnish economy. But whether Finland has the resources or the ability to embark on such an effort is a rather far-off question," Häkkänen said.
The minister said that discussions about taking part in securing the Strait of Hormuz would begin at the EU level. He also emphasised that undertaking such an operation in the region is more dangerous than previous missions.
"We should keep in mind that such an operation is to some extent linked to the military domain, so it cannot be directly compared to previous [operations]. This time it is a much more dangerous matter," Häkkänen said.
Social Democrat MP Mika Kari, who was also on A-Studio on Monday, said that he agreed that the operation in the region was special. He also doubted whether Finland would be able to provide the needed equipment.
"Additionally, there is a political angle. Yes, the message from leaders of Europe's major countries has been quite clear — this is not our war," Kari said.
Although both Europe and Nato have interests in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and world energy markets stabilised, the Centre Party's chair, Antti Kaikkonen, emphasised Nato's role at the general level.
"Nato is a defensive alliance, not an offensive alliance," Kaikkonen said on A-Studio.
According to him, a ceasefire needs to be established before the Strait of Hormuz can be secured.
On Sunday, Trump warned European Nato allies about a "very bleak" future if they fail to help the United States in Iran.