PANews reported on May 19 that, according to a senior NATO official, NATO is discussing the possibility of deploying troops to help ships pass through the blocked waterway if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed until early July. A NATO diplomat stated that the idea has received support from several NATO member states, but has not yet obtained the necessary unanimous agreement. This move would mark a shift in NATO's war strategy towards Iran. The senior NATO official indicated that although some allies still oppose authorizing NATO to carry out missions in the strait, they will switch their support to the idea if the blockade continues. NATO leaders will meet in Ankara on July 7-8.