Trump Administration To Announce Multinational Coalition To Escort Ships Through Strait Of Hormuz: Report

ISTANBUL, March 16 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- US President Donald Trump’s administration could announce as early as this week that several countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz along Iran’s coast, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing The Wall Street Journal.

Citing US officials on Sunday, the newspaper said discussions are ongoing about whether the escort operations will begin before or after hostilities end.

However, the White House declined to comment on the possible announcement, which could change depending on developments on the battlefield.

Publicly, many countries have remained noncommittal about joining such a mission until fighting stops because of the risks involved, the report added.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint between Iran to the north and Oman’s Musandam Peninsula to the south, is one of the world’s most important shipping lanes for oil and gas.

Iran has effectively closed the Strait since early March, following the launch of joint attacks by Israel and the US against Iran on Feb 28, which have so far killed around 1,300 people, including the then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Disruptions to shipping through the strait have pushed up global oil and fertiliser prices, raising concerns about energy supplies and food costs.

Trump said Saturday that countries receiving oil through the strategic waterway should take responsibility for securing the key maritime passage and that the US would assist. Earlier, he said US Navy escorts for oil tankers transiting the Strait could begin "soon".

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU