The proposal - called Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC) - was reportedly sent out to US embassies around the world on Tuesday, with a call for embassy staff to work to get foreign governments to join the alliance.
"Your participation will strengthen our collective ability to restore freedom of navigation and protect the global economy," the statement said, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The MFC is described as a joint initiative between the US Department of State and the military command Centcom.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a key issue in stalled peace talks between Iran and the United States. Both countries claim to have established some form of blockade in the strait - Iran has mined the waterway and stopped ships that do not pay "tolls," while the United States has stopped all ships heading to and from Iranian ports. At the same time, large parts of global trade have been strangled and fuel prices have soared.
Yesterday, US President Donald Trump told Axios that the blockade is more effective than bombing.
They're choking like a stuffed pig, and it will get worse for them.
During the standoff with Iran, Trump has oscillated between raging at the allies' lack of help over the Strait of Hormuz and claiming that the US does not need any help at all.
