U.S. government officials have intensified in recent days a diplomatic offensive to gather international support for a coalition aimed at bolstering security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategic maritime routes for global energy trade. The move responds to a request from U.S. President Donald Trump for allied countries to contribute military assets to protect navigation in the region. The information was disclosed by sources familiar with the negotiations and published by CNN.
According to U.S. officials interviewed by the network, the goal is to announce in the coming days the formation of a new group of countries committed to the strait’s security, although uncertainties remain about which nations will participate and when the official announcement will be made. Even traditional U.S. allies are showing caution about the prospect of sending military forces to an area considered highly sensitive while the armed conflict in the region is ongoing.
According to U.S. government members, the expectation is to at least secure preliminary commitments of support for protecting the maritime route. Operational details—such as which ships would be mobilized and when deployments would occur—could be defined later.
The U.S. president spoke on Sunday evening with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but the dialogue did not result in an immediate announcement about the deployment of U.K. military assets to the region. The White House expectation is that Trump will hold new talks with foreign leaders throughout the week.
Among the scheduled meetings is a visit by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is expected to go to the White House on Thursday for her first official meeting with Trump since taking office. So far, however, the Japanese government has also avoided making a clear commitment on sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. administration officials assess that the conflict involving Iran could last between four and six weeks. This estimate would indicate at least two more weeks of clashes. According to these assessments, operations conducted by the United States and Israel have caused significant damage to Iran’s missile arsenal, air defenses, and naval capabilities.
Despite this, the Iranian government remains in power and continues to demonstrate the ability to threaten neighboring countries and disrupt strategic global energy trade routes, including maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
European officials, in turn, have expressed concern about the possibility that Trump declares military victory in the coming weeks and shifts the responsibility for patrolling the area to European allies afterward. According to these sources, there was little attempt to secure prior support from allies before the war began.
Even so, European governments recognize the need to handle the situation cautiously. Among the diplomatic concerns is the risk of deteriorating relations with Washington at a time when another international conflict—the war in Ukraine—remains at a point considered critical in the global geopolitical landscape.
Fonte: brasil247.com