US plans coalition to escort commercial ships through Strait of Hormuz

The administration of US President Donald Trump is set to announce within a week the formation of a coalition of countries to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Discussions are ongoing over whether the escort operations will begin before or after the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East. Details on the coalition’s members have not been disclosed, though it is confirmed that several countries will participate.

The White House has so far refused to comment on the anticipated coalition announcement, which could be delayed or altered depending on developments on the ground.

The push for such a declaration highlights the administration’s difficult position. Gasoline prices keep climbing, and pressure is mounting from within the Republican Party over the ultimate objectives of the campaign.

Military operations have targeted over 6,000 Iranian sites, resulting in the deaths of the country’s supreme leader and several senior officials. Yet the broader challenges—rising instability in the Middle East, a global energy crunch, and domestic political backlash—remain unresolved despite the extensive bombing campaign.

By Jeyhun Aghazada