The Netherlands says it redirected a frigate towards the Strait of Hormuz, in order to be able to join a possible international mission there, Reuters reports.

The air defence frigate is currently in the Indo-Pacific region, and will take several weeks to arrive in the region of the Strait of Hormuz, Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz says in a letter to parliament.

Oil shipments through the strait have picked up since the US and Iran signed a ceasefire deal this week, despite security concerns by shipping and insurance industry officials who have called for the urgent deployment of mine-clearing vessels to the waterway.

France and Britain have been pushing plans for a multinational naval mission, but diplomats say Iran has signalled strong opposition to any foreign military presence in the waterway.