The administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking international support to form a coalition aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US State Department cable seen by Reuters.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the creation of the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), described as a joint initiative between the State Department and the Pentagon.
The cable, dated 28 April, states that the MFC is intended to serve as a foundation for a post-conflict maritime security framework in the Middle East, aimed at protecting energy supplies, critical infrastructure, and international shipping routes.
According to the document, the initiative would have two components: a diplomatic arm led by the State Department to coordinate with partner nations and industry stakeholders, and a military coordination arm based under US Central Command (CENTCOM) to monitor maritime traffic and communicate with vessels in real time.
The US has instructed embassies to deliver formal proposals to partner countries by 1 May, excluding Russia, China, Belarus, Cuba, and other designated adversaries.
Countries invited to participate may contribute through diplomacy, intelligence sharing, sanctions enforcement, naval presence, or other forms of support, the cable states.
Officials emphasised that participation would not require nations to divert naval resources from existing regional commitments.
The MFC is reportedly separate from the US “maximum pressure” campaign and ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
The proposal comes amid heightened instability in the region, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—once responsible for transporting around one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies—significantly disrupted following recent conflict and escalating maritime tensions.