US seeks allies for Strait of Hormuz naval coalition

Washington is rallying allies to protect one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.

By World Israel News Staff

The United States is seeking to recruit partner nations to form a naval coalition aimed at ensuring freedom of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical maritime chokepoint that has been effectively closed by Iran amid repeated attacks on commercial vessels transiting the area.

According to a U.S. State Department cable viewed by Reuters, officials have introduced a new initiative known as the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC). The MFC is a joint effort between the Pentagon and the State Department, described as an ambitious project to establish an international framework coordinating maritime security efforts in the region.

The initiative is intended to serve as a central platform for countries that rely on the strait for trade and energy transport, allowing them to cooperate more effectively in protecting shipping lanes and critical infrastructure.

“The MFC constitutes a critical first step in the establishment of a post-conflict maritime security architecture for the Middle East,” the cable states. “This framework is essential to ensuring long-term energy security, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, and maintaining navigational rights and freedoms in vital sea lanes.”

Under the proposal, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), headquartered in Florida, would provide logistical support, including navigation assistance, operational guidance, and direct communication with vessels transiting the strait.

At the same time, the cable emphasizes that American diplomats presenting the plan abroad should avoid pressuring allies into overcommitting resources that could strain their own national defense needs.

“We welcome all levels of engagement and do not expect your country to shift naval assets and resources away from existing regional maritime constructs and organizations,” the document states.

The cable also stresses that the MFC is intended to endure beyond the current conflict with Iran, describing it as “distinct from the president’s maximum pressure campaign and from ongoing negotiations.”

The document makes clear that certain nations — including Russia, China, Belarus, and Cuba, as well as “other U.S. adversaries” — would not be invited to join the initiative.