LISBON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Portugal will not take part in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said on Monday.
"Portugal is not and will not be involved in this conflict. We will not participate," Rangel told reporters, firmly rejecting calls from the United States for greater involvement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the war.
The Trump administration has been pressing NATO members and other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world's oil was transported before the U.S-Israeli strikes against Iran. Transit through the strategic waterway has been nearly halted due to the threat of Iranians' retaliatory attacks.
Rangel said Portugal supports efforts to restore freedom of navigation through diplomatic and political means.
"Everything that can be done to unblock the Strait of Hormuz and allow freedom of navigation is positive. There is a great deal that can be done at the political and diplomatic level, and that is where Portugal stands, and where the European Union (EU) will also stand, I believe," he said.
Asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to NATO members that refuse to back Washington, Rangel dismissed them outright. "From my side, that deserves absolutely no reaction," he said.
The minister added that he has been in contact with his counterparts in the Gulf region in search of a solution to prevent further escalation. "That is the main point for everyone. And the second is to return to the negotiating table," he said.
On the broader European position, Rangel said EU members have a broad consensus in favor of working to restore navigation through the strait.
"Everyone is willing, especially those with greater means, including diplomatic ones, to cooperate in that direction. Obviously, that does not imply the deployment of military assets to the Strait of Hormuz," he said.
The minister acknowledged that the conflict is already producing "disadvantages," particularly for household economies, warning that further escalation "is a risk that cannot be ruled out." ■
