Read, Watch or Listen

Washington — The U.S. government this week sought international partners to form the "Maritime Freedom Construct" to restore commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to an internal State Department cable dated April 28 and subsequent reports on April 29–30. Diplomats were asked to solicit diplomatic and military partners to coordinate maritime information sharing. The cable describes the State Department as the diplomatic hub and U.S. Central Command providing real-time maritime domain awareness; the initiative would coordinate sanctions enforcement and protect energy shipping, the reports said. Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Xinhua and regional agencies reported that embassies were instructed this week to press counterparts to join the coalition.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.