The US administration has extended an invitation to other countries to join a new international coalition to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.
According to them, the State Department has sent information to US embassies about the new maritime initiative and has asked diplomats to encourage foreign governments to join. According to the publication, the new coalition, led by the US, will help participants exchange information, coordinate their diplomatic efforts and implement sanctions. Although the new coalition is not expected to be military in nature, in a cable sent to US embassies, the State Department advised inviting representatives of other countries to become “diplomatic and/or military partners“.
The US has already invited countries to join a planned international coalition to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In mid-March, US President Donald Trump announced that countries receiving oil through the Strait of Hormuz should ensure the passage of commercial ships through it and called on the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, France and Japan, among others, to do so.
However, as US media reported, the US initiative proved unsuccessful. The president subsequently stated that Washington did not need help with Iran.