WASHINGTON: The United States is launching an international coalition to restart shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, an official confirmed on Thursday, as the vital waterway remains largely cut off amid stalled talks with Iran.
The "Maritime Freedom Construct" (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," a State Department official told AFP.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was responding to questions about a reported diplomatic cable calling on US embassies to press foreign governments to join the effort.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the MFC will be a joint effort between the State Department and US Central Command, which oversees American military forces in the Middle East, according to the cable.
"The State-led component, based in Washington, DC, will serve as the diplomatic operations hub, uniting partners and the commercial shipping industry," the official told AFP.
Iran responded to the US-Israeli attacks which began on February 28 by threatening ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, bringing traffic to an effective halt in the narrow waterway and sending global fuel prices surging.
Despite a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, shipping through the strait has remained effectively halted, with no immediate let-up in sight.
Efforts to end the conflict have stalled, with the Iranian side reportedly proposing this week to ease its pressure on the strait in exchange for Washington lifting its retaliatory blockade while broader negotiations continue.
President Donald Trump has lashed out at allies since launching the war over their reluctance to get involved in the conflict with Iran, while at various points urging oil-reliant nations to take responsibility for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The cable, however, insisted that collective action was "essential to demonstrate unified resolve and impose meaningful costs on Iranian obstruction of transit through the Strait," according to the Journal.
"Your participation will strengthen our collective ability to restore freedom of navigation and protect the global economy," the cable reportedly said, describing the MFC as a "US-led" initiative.
The UK and France have led talks on a separate maritime effort, recently holding a meeting with more than 50 countries on the issue.
