Bangladesh, April 30 -- The United States is preparing to introduce a new international initiative aimed at safeguarding maritime traffic through one of the worlds most critical energy corridors, the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal, referred to as the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), reflects Washingtons attempt to rally global partners around a loosely coordinated framework to ensure freedom of navigation while countering Iranian influence in the region.

According to reports first published by The Wall Street Journal and later confirmed by Reuters, the plan was outlined in a diplomatic cable sent on April 28 by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to American embassies worldwide. The cable instructed diplomats to present the initiative to ...