Dutch defence minister Ank Bijleveld has told a television talk show that the Netherlands ‘understands’ why the US killed Iran’s leading general in a drone attack but that the focus should now be on ‘de-escalation’.

‘If you look at what Iran has done, then it has done terrible things,’ Bijleveld told new public broadcaster show Op1. Nevertheless, the killing has ‘resulted in a very fragile situation’, the minister said.

‘We have to focus on de-escalation… and we are calling on all nations, including the United States,’ she said. ‘The Dutch effort is completely focused on de-escalation.’

Bijleveld, defence minister Stef Blok and foreign trade minister Sigrid Kaag, sent a briefing to MPs on Monday in which they stated that Iran is facilitating instability in the region.

Nevertheless, the Netherlands has also asked the US to explain the legal basis for its attack on general Qassem Soleimani, the letter said. Washington said at the time that the killing was a question of self defence.

Ministers also stated that during Friday’s meeting of EU foreign ministers the Netherlands will ’emphasise the negative influence Iran has on regional stability and focus on the importance of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.’

A Dutch frigate is due to join a French-led mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormus later this month and that effort will go ahead, Bijleveld said.