Seimas approves deployment of up to 40 Lithuanian troops in Strait of Hormuz operations

The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, on Thursday approved the deployment of up to 40 Lithuanian military personnel and civilian national defence system employees to participate in international maritime security and freedom of navigation operations in the Strait of Hormuz, LRT reports.

In the vote, 77 MPs supported the decision, 11 opposed it, and six abstained.

According to the Ministry of National Defence, the operations may require mine clearance, force protection, intelligence, and defensive capabilities. Lithuania’s contribution will be coordinated with allies’ planning and specific operational needs.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas stated before the vote that discussions were ongoing about the technical capabilities Lithuania could offer for the defensive mission, with a focus on mine clearance. He clarified that the deployment would centre on personnel—up to 40 troops—equipped with unmanned systems, underwater control systems, and anti-drone technology necessary for safe mission execution.

Lithuania aims to participate in both the French and UK-led coalition and the US mission in the region.

Last year, parliament granted the military a mandate to take part in an international maritime security operation in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing the deployment of up to five troops and civilian defence personnel. The new mandate expands this, permitting involvement in multiple operations and increasing the number of personnel to 40.

Opposition MP Valius Ąžuolas criticised the decision, stating that the Seimas had “opened Pandora’s box” by not clearly defining the mission’s scope. He warned that the vote could draw Lithuania into war, urging clarity on whether troops would only be sent for peacekeeping under a signed peace agreement.

Conservative MP and former military commander Arvydas Pocius countered that parliament had only approved the number of troops, with operational details to be determined by the leading state—a standard practice in past deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Kaunas emphasised that disruptions in maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, due to rising fuel prices, directly impact Lithuania, making the assurance of free navigation critical. He added that the mandate demonstrates Lithuania’s commitment to acting alongside allies and strengthens practical military cooperation with the US.

The decision follows recent escalations between the US and Iran, including US airstrikes on Iran and Iranian retaliatory attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.