According to media reports, the US is ready to push foreign governments for a new initiative to control the Strait of Hormuz, with participation that explicitly excludes "rivals" Russia and China.
The proposal was outlined in a cable sent Tuesday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to U.S. embassies, which were instructed to present the plan to host governments. The Wall Street Journal first reported the cable, with Reuters later confirming its contents.
The initiative, known as Maritime Freedom Construction (MFC), will be jointly managed by the State Department – serving as a “diplomatic operations center” – and the Pentagon through its regional command, CENTCOM.
“Your participation will strengthen our collective ability to restore freedom of navigation and protect the global economy,” the message to potential partners reads. “Collective action is essential to demonstrate unified resolve and impose significant costs on Iranian obstruction of transit through the Strait.”
Countries joining the MFC will reportedly not be required to contribute military forces. The initiative is also described as separate from President Donald Trump’s long-standing “maximum pressure” strategy targeting Iran and any potential future deployments by European NATO members. The invitation does not extend to nations described in the cable as “enemies,” including Russia, China, Belarus and Cuba.
Trump has previously criticized NATO members for refusing to support the US-Israeli air campaign aimed at regime change in Tehran. Reports suggest the White House has compiled a list of European members of the military bloc that could face consequences for their lack of support — or for openly opposing the operation, which was Spain's position.
In response to the latest attack in February, Iran blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for global oil flows — and launched attacks on Arab countries that host U.S. military bases. A fragile ceasefire was announced in early April. However, tensions continued, with Trump later declaring a naval blockade of Iranian ports after talks brokered by Pakistan failed to produce a breakthrough.
