The foreign minister of Norway, Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, says her country is deliberating on how to respond to the offer to join the US-led coalition for maritime security in the Persian Gulf.

In a joint press conference with the foreign minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Thursday, August 22, Soreide announced that the government of Norway has taken a variety of measures that would provide assessments based on the available information.

The United States has invited 60 countries to join the coalition. Two days ago, Brian Hook, the US special representative on Iran, announced that 30 countries have agreed to join the coalition led by Washington.

One of the four oil tankers that were sabotaged near Fujairah port in May was a Norwegian vessel.

While expressing concerns about the rising tensions in the region, Ms. Eriksen Soreide called for all sides to avoid any escalation.

On the issue of Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), she stated: “We also talked about the JCPOA and asked Iran to fully comply with its commitments in the deal. The JCPOA is important for the security of the region and nuclear proliferation.”

Eriksen Soreide also stated that Norway supports the efforts made by France to de-escalate tensions.

According to the foreign minister of Norway, the issue of Iran’s human rights violations was also discussed in their meeting.

Foreign Minister Zarif will leave Oslo for Paris on Thursday afternoon. Before the meeting with the foreign minister of Norway, Zarif stated that Iran is ready to review France’s suggestions to protect the nuclear deal.