The administration of US President Donald Trump is pressuring foreign governments to join a new coalition in support of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as the war with Iran continues to paralyze this vital waterway, UNN reports, citing CNN.
Details
The coalition, dubbed the "Maritime Freedom Construct," aims to coordinate diplomatic efforts, including aligning sanctions and sharing information to ensure safe transit through the strait. The strait has become one of the main obstacles in diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran, with both countries maintaining their blockades.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States does not need help from other countries in the strait, and has also sharply criticized other nations, particularly European ones, for not taking enough action. Meanwhile, fuel prices worldwide are skyrocketing.
In a US State Department cable sent this week to missions around the world, diplomats were instructed to announce the formation of the new coalition and "urge partners to participate" by Friday.
In the cable, seen by CNN, diplomats are ordered not to discuss the matter with "US adversaries, including Russia, China, Belarus, and Cuba."
According to the cable, the coalition will be led by the State Department and the US Department of Defense through US Central Command.
"The maritime coalition will take steps to ensure safe passage, including providing real-time information, security recommendations, and coordination to ensure the safe passage of vessels through these waters," the cable says.
It emphasizes that diplomats should present participation in the coalition as a way to "strengthen our collective ability to restore freedom of navigation and protect the global economy."
The cable acknowledges that "countries may contribute to the coalition in various ways depending on their capabilities and interests."
"Contributions may include diplomatic coordination, information sharing, sanctions enforcement, naval presence, or other forms of support," the cable states. "We welcome all levels of engagement and do not expect your country to redirect naval forces or resources from existing maritime structures."
The US is creating a new coalition to unblock the Strait of Hormuz and pressure Iran30.04.26, 07:22
Context
The publication notes that the United Kingdom and France have deployed multilateral efforts to secure the strait, which could ultimately include the deployment of military forces in the waters if a peace agreement is reached.
The coalition "complements other maritime task forces, including maritime operations planning efforts led by the United Kingdom and France," a State Department spokesperson said.