The Trump administration is pressing foreign governments to join a new coalition to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as the Iran war continues to snarl the vital waterway.
The coalition, dubbed the “Maritime Freedom Construct,” is aimed at coordinating diplomatic efforts, including aligning on sanctions and information sharing to help with safe transit through the waterway. The strait has become one of major hurdles in diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran, with both countries maintaining their respective blockades.
President Donald Trump has both repeatedly asserted that the United States does not need the help of other countries on the strait and has also lambasted other countries, particularly those in Europe, for not doing enough. Meanwhile, fuel prices around the world are skyrocketing.
A US State Department cable sent this week to posts around the world called on diplomats to announce the formation of the new coalition and “ask for partner participation” by Friday.
The cable, seen by CNN, instructs diplomats not to discuss the matter with “US adversaries, including Russia, China, Belarus, and Cuba.” The Wall Street Journal first reported the cable.
According to the cable, the coalition will be led by the Departments of State and Defense, through US Central Command.
“The MFC will take steps to ensure safe passage, including providing real-time information, safety guidance, and coordination to ensure vessels can transit these waters securely,” the cable said.
It noted that diplomats should pitch the 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 MFC in different ways based on their capabilities and interests.”
“Contributions may include diplomatic coordination, information sharing, sanctions enforcement, naval presence, or other forms of support,” the cable said. “We welcome all levels of engagement and do not expect your country to shift naval assets or resources away from existing maritime constructs.”
The United Kingdom and France have mounted a multilateral effort toward securing the strait that could eventually involve deploying military assets into the waterway if a peace deal is reached.
The coalition “is complementary to other maritime task forces, including the maritime planning effort the UK and France are leading,” a State Department official said.