The Wall Street Journal reported on April 29 that the US is calling on countries to join the new international alliance "Maritime Freedom Construct" to clear the Strait of Hormuz.
This effort was stated in an internal telegram from the US State Department to the embassies on April 28, calling on US diplomats to urge governments to participate.
According to the content of the telegram, the US-led coalition will share information, coordinate diplomacy and implement sanctions.
This is the latest move by President Donald Trump's administration to restore trade flow through the Strait of Hormuz, in the context of Iran seeking to shell and attack oil tankers passing through this vital waterway route without Tehran's approval.
The future of Hormuz has become the main bottleneck in US-Iran peace talks. While Iran targets non-transit ships, the US Navy has imposed a widespread blockade on all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.
The Wall Street Journal commented that the support offer from the US shows that Washington wants other countries to participate in managing the Strait of Hormuz both now and in the future.
Your participation will strengthen our common capacity in restoring freedom of navigation and protecting the global economy. Collective action is essential to demonstrate unity and impose a significant price on obstructing traffic through Iran's straits" - the telegram emphasized.
Although "Maritime Freedom Construct" is not a military alliance, the telegram asks US officials to ask foreign partners about whether they want to become "diplomatic and/or military partners".
According to the telegram, "Maritime Freedom Construct" will be a joint effort between the US State Department and the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The State Department plays the role of "diplomatic coordination center", while CENTCOM provides "real-time maritime situation awareness" for commercial ships and coordinates information sharing between partner military forces.
When asked about this proposal, a senior US official confirmed that this is one of many policy and diplomatic tools that President Donald Trump can use.
Previously, on April 27, Mr. Trump asked his assistants to prepare for a prolonged blockade, which could be maintained until Iran yields to nuclear claims. On April 29, Mr. Trump told reporters that "the blockade is 100% genius and effective". He said he was ready to maintain the blockade and continue fighting until Iran "agrees that there will be no nuclear weapons".
European countries have held many meetings to build a strategy to allow ships to travel through the Strait of Hormuz after the Iranian conflict ends. The UK and France chaired a meeting with more than 50 countries on this issue.
Maritime Freedom Construct" will complement other maritime security task forces, including efforts to plan maritime activities led by Britain and France" - the US State Department's telegram affirmed.
