US seeks support, forms new coalition to open Hormuz Strait

JAKARTA - The administration of US President Donald Trump is trying to build a new international coalition to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic in the waters has stalled amid ongoing negotiations with Iran.

As reported by TheWallStreetJournal, citing internal diplomatic documents belonging to the US State Department (State Department) sent to all US embassies (embassy), Washington asked its diplomats to urge the governments of the countries where they were assigned to be willing to join the new alliance, which is called MaritimeFreedomConstruct or Maritime Freedom Construction.

The coalition will coordinate information exchange, seek diplomatic steps, and impose sanctions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"Your participation will strengthen our collective ability to restore freedom of navigation and protect the global economy," the document reads, as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, April 30.

A senior US administration official has confirmed the proposal, which is stated as one of the many diplomatic and policy sources the president has, the report continued.

The initiative comes weeks after President Donald Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz was fully open and ready for trade, but most tanker traffic has stopped.

In addition, Iran is reported to have attempted to lay mines and attack tankers crossing the waterway without Tehran's approval, while the United States is blocking all ships heading to or leaving Iranian ports.

The future of the Strait of Hormuz has been a major sticking point in stalled peace negotiations. Trump reportedly told his staff on Monday (27/4) to prepare for a long-term blockade until Iran agrees to give up its nuclear program.