Trump Seeks Support, Forms New Coalition to Open Strait of Hormuz

Washington (ANTARA) - The administration of US President Donald Trump is working to build a new international coalition to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic in those waters has halted amid the ongoing deadlock in negotiations with Iran. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing internal diplomatic documents from the US State Department sent to all US embassies, Washington is asking its diplomats to urge the governments of the countries where they are posted to be willing to join the new alliance, called the Maritime Freedom Construct. The coalition will coordinate the exchange of information, pursue diplomatic measures, 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 states. The initiative emerges a few weeks after President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz was fully open and ready for trade, but most ship traffic remains halted. 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 blockades all ships heading to or departing from Iranian ports. The future of the Strait of Hormuz has become a major sticking point in the stalled peace negotiations. Trump is reported to have told his staff on Monday (27/4) to prepare for a long-term blockade until Iran agrees to abandon its nuclear programme.