US plans new maritime alliance to restore shipping security in Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON: The United States is reportedly planning to form a new international coalition aimed at restoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The proposed initiative, named the “Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC)”, was referenced in a diplomatic cable sent by the US State Department to American embassies on Tuesday.

The report says US diplomats have been instructed to encourage other countries to join the alliance, which would focus on information sharing, diplomatic coordination, and enforcement of sanctions.

The plan reportedly envisions joint coordination between the State Department and the US Central Command (CENTCOM), where diplomacy would be handled by the State Department, while CENTCOM would provide real-time maritime intelligence for commercial shipping and coordinate information sharing with partner forces.

A senior US official described the proposal as one of several diplomatic and policy options available to former President Donald Trump, as Washington seeks broader international involvement in managing current and future developments in the Strait of Hormuz.

The move comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region, where maritime security and freedom of navigation remain key strategic concerns for global energy and trade routes.