U.S. cable details new “construct” aimed at controlling the Strait of Hormuz

(SeaPRwire) –   The State Department is reportedly preparing to present this loosely defined plan to foreign governments

Media reports indicate the United States is ready to propose a new initiative to manage the Strait of Hormuz, explicitly excluding nations it considers “adversaries,” such as Russia and China, from participation.

The plan was detailed in a Tuesday cable from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to U.S. embassies, directing them to introduce the strategy to host nations. The Wall Street Journal initially broke the story, and Reuters subsequently verified the cable’s details.

This initiative, called the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), would be co-administered by the State Department – acting as a “diplomatic operations hub” – and the Pentagon via its Central Command, CENTCOM.

“Your participation will strengthen our collective ability to restore freedom of navigation and protect the global economy,” the communication to potential partners asserts. “Collective action is essential to demonstrate unified resolve and impose meaningful costs on Iranian obstruction of transit through the Strait.”

As per the reports, nations that join the MFC would have no mandatory requirement to provide military assets. The construct is also framed as distinct from President Donald Trump’s sustained “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran and from any prospective future deployments by European NATO allies. The cable specifies that invitations will not be sent to countries it labels “adversaries,” listing Russia, China, Belarus, and Cuba.

Trump has previously criticized NATO allies for refusing to back a U.S.-Israeli air campaign intended to force regime change in Tehran. Reports indicate the White House has identified European members of the alliance that may encounter consequences for their failure to support—or for openly resisting—the operation, a stance taken by Spain.

Following the late-February assault, Iran severely restricted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial channel for worldwide oil shipments—and launched strikes on Arab nations housing U.S. military facilities. A delicate ceasefire was declared in early April. Nonetheless, hostilities continued, with Trump later imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports after Pakistan-facilitated negotiations did not yield a resolution.