Donald Trump’s administration is likely to announce this week that several countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the critical Strait of Hormuz, where trade remains effectively halted amid a conflict between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Trump administration is expected to announce the formation of the coalition this week itself, with Washington and its potential coalition partners currently discussing the scope of the operations and their launch date.
However, the White House has yet to comment officially on the matter, although many countries have remained non-committal, at least publicly, about a potential cross-strait escort mission.
The development comes amid a spiraling global energy crisis precipitated by the shutdown of trade through the Strait of Hormuz, with rising gas prices also affecting the US, where Trump faces mid-term polls later this year.
The average U.S. gas price was $3.70 a gallon on Sunday, up 26% from $2.93 a month earlier, before the conflict erupted. The price of diesel rose 36% over the same period, from $3.66 to $4.97 per gallon.
(This is a developing story. Check back for updates)
