Exclusive: Trump Administration Plans to Announce Coalition to Escort Ships Through Strait of Hormuz

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: The Wall Street Journal.

Live Updated 1 hour ago

Exclusive: Trump Administration Plans to Announce Coalition to Escort Ships Through Strait of Hormuz

By Alexander Ward

The Trump administration as soon as this week plans to announce that multiple countries have agreed to form a coalition that will escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which runs along the Iranian coast, U.S. officials said. They are still discussing, however, whether those operations would begin before or after hostilities end.

The White House declined to comment on the expected announcement, which could shift depending on battlefield conditions. Publicly, many countries have been noncommittal to such an escort mission until hostilities cease, given the risks involved.

{paywall}

Read more: https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/us-israel-iran-war-news-2026/card/exclusive-trump-administration-plans-to-announce-coalition-to-escort-ships-through-strait-of-hormuz-YBtXVBjxeLjL6yAqEWJV

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I am aware that DU prefers that threads in LBN be based on events that have occurred rather than events that are supposed to be occurring.

This article in The Wall Street Journal., though, is significant in itself, as even a story about plans has the power to move markets. It's not just a story; it's a metastory. In any event, I can easily find several threads in LBN posted in anticipation of an event's occurrence.

How much weight should you give to this story? AI reminds us:

The New York Times holds the record for the most Pulitzer Prizes won by a single organization, with over 145 awards as of early 2026. For individual recipients, reporter David Barstow of The New York Times holds the record, having won four individual Pulitzer Prizes for investigative reporting.
(Source: The New York Times Company)

Top Organizations with Most Pulitzer Prizes:
The New York Times: 145
Associated Press: 59
Los Angeles Times: 46
The Wall Street Journal: 37
The Washington Post: 68 (Note: Source 9 contradicts 4, but The Post generally holds a high count, second to NYT)

I report; you decide.

[Aviation Pro]

1. Stay frosty

……

[mahatmakanejeeves]

11. It's been going around lately. I can't seem to shake it. NT

[UpInArms]

2. Mmm ... prolly not

But it will keep the MAGAts entertained for a few days

[dpibel]

3. Pretty big loophole there

Right in the first paragraph, in the part you can read for free, is this bit of weaselspeak:

They are still discussing, however, whether these operations would begin before or after hostilities end.

"As soon as it's safe, you'll see an escort coalition like no one has ever seen before!"

[gab13by13]

34. To put it another way

"as soon as it's safe, the escorts won't be needed."

[Prairie Gates]

4. My Mom used to say "We'll see" when we asked to do something and she was a no

but didn't want to deal with the trouble of saying No.

I suspect many of these countries gave Trump the "We'll see."

[tanyev]

5. He's announced lots of things before that countries had not actually agreed to.

We'll see.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. Trump seems not to be one of the people mentioned as a source for this article, at least in what I can see.

All Alexander Ward wrote was "U.S. officials said."

Yeah, that doesn't exactly narrow it down.

Trump can get pestered about this tonight on his at back from Florida.

Thanks for writing, and good evening.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. More about the story's author:

Alexander Ward
National Security Reporter, The Wall Street Journal

Alexander Ward is a national security reporter covering the White House and State Department for The Wall Street Journal in Washington. Alex’s reporting focuses in particular on the inner workings of the National Security Council and how top players in an administration formulate and execute foreign policy.

Alex was previously the White House and national security reporter at Politico, where he was also the first author of its "National Security Daily" newsletter. Before that, he was Vox's White House reporter covering foreign policy and worked at the Atlantic Council think tank covering national security and military affairs.

Alex has won numerous awards for his reporting and was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist along with Politico colleagues for Supreme Court coverage.

In February 2024, Alex published his first book, "The Internationalists: The Fight to Restore American Foreign Policy after Trump." He is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

{snip}

[FakeNoose]

9. Probably happen in two weeks

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

10. So Trump announces plans to announce, eh?

Bet 'ya it happens "in two weeks."

[mahatmakanejeeves]

13. "U.S. officials said," is all Alexander Ward wrote, at least in the part I'm able to read.

I expect the insiders have already been tipped off so they can take their positions.

When the plans turn out to be something else, they will have been tipped off ahead of time of that announcement too.

[Miguelito Loveless]

12. The Child Rape regime

makes announcements all the time, mostly lies.

[Red Mountain]

14. 1 billion dollars to join his board of piece

and they're all set to go.

[msongs]

15. after hostilities end? ya wouldnt need an escort then. And trump KNOWS about escorts

[mahatmakanejeeves]

16. There would surely be mines in place in need of detection. NT

[msongs]

18. give a snorkel kit to the wind up GI Joe doll and let him and little marco clear the mines nt

[wnylib]

20. How much will President Pedo charge for protection?

[SunSeeker]

37. If there are still live mines whose locations Iran won't disclose, then hostilities haven't ended. nt

[EarthFirst]

17. Any of this coalition have; you know...standing naval fleets?

My suspicion is that either half make statements that they haven’t fully committed; or do not have the military hardware to participate in an escort capacity.

[Justice matters.]

19. Let orange $atan keep panicking.

Hoping that sleepless high-pressure anxiety about gas prices will finally take its toll...

[Lithos]

21. Any attempt to escort ships will require the Navy

The costs that will be incurred are likely to be astronomical and not economically feasible.

Orange Dunderhead failed economics in college; it shows.

[Talitha]

23. Probably went to Trump University.

[Lithos]

24. Trump was the Dean...

No doubt.

[Talitha]

22. What a bloated gas bag.

[hay rick]

25. He has a concept of a plan.

I find it difficult to believe that any non-combatant nation will be willing to risk their naval vessels until the U. S, has demonstrated that they have deprived Iran of the ability to launch drones and missiles at shipping in the Strait- unlikely without a boots-on-the-ground-in-Iran mission by the 31st MEU and others. If that is accomplished our Navy would still have to demonstrate that the passage is free of mines and can be kept that way.

[surfered]

26. I'm guessing no boats from the Caribbean.

[Deuxcents]

27. Who makes up this coalition he claims is gonna escort ships?

[Justice matters.]

38. 10 Countries. 0 Warships.

Trump went hat in hand to the world after he imposed illegal tariffs on their goods, insulted and demeaned them, saying they took advantage of the US while they only do commerce with whoever wants to buy their products, including customers in the US. The world checked its phone and put it back in its pocket.

France said no. Officially. In writing. Germany said nothing, which is German for no. Norway said no. The UK is “discussing options with allies,” which is British for no. Japan stayed silent while 70% of its Middle East oil supply sits behind a minefield. South Korea watched Washington and Tehran play chicken with its own energy supply and declined to pick a side. China called it a sovereign right and hung up. Qatar didn’t just refuse. Qatar stopped production entirely and declared force majeure. Their energy minister did not mince words: this will bring down economies of the world.

Iran is still there. Still attacking ships. Still laying mines. Still holding the strait.

The most powerful military on Earth sent out the call. Ten countries heard it. The result is a number that requires no commentary: zero.

This is what the end of American power looks like in practice. A request for warships that came back empty. Washington spent decades telling the world that the US-led order was worth defending. The world has moved away from the US.

[Deuxcents]

39. Thank you for the explanation. We're in this situation because of his arrogance and disrespect

I doubt we’ll get out of this mess, if ever, but it won’t be soon, I’m afraid.

[Ferrets are Cool]

28. Trying to manipulate the market again, I see.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

30. Where do I send the prize? NT

[Diamond_Dog]

29. I'm sure those asshat Trump boat paraders in Fla. would be willing to help out ....

[OC375]

31. What happens to Iran if a tanker or frigate gets sunk?

[uncle ray]

32. the same thing that is happening to them now.

[groundloop]

33. These guys will volunteer.

[ananda]

35. My stupid question of the week:

Is it even possible for several ships to escort one
tanker through the strait?

[Attilatheblond]

41. My stupid question: How do more ships prevent missiles?

Does Trump think it's 1812? Or does Putin pay him a bonus for every one of OUR navy ships that go down?

[SunSeeker]

36. "They are still discussing, however, whether those operations would begin before or after hostilities end."

Well, if hostilities end, then the ships don't need escorts. So, in other words, these countries haven’t decided to help Trump yet.

Sure sounds like this "coalition" is just stringing Trump along.

[artemisia1]

40. "The Coalition of the Willing". Just like the Iraq war. Only this time, nobody's coming... /nt

[Aussie105]

42. Too many countries were pulled into previous conflicts started by the US to now heed the call.

As an Australian, I think our position will be very clear.

Fool us once (Vietnam) and shame on you, try to fool us twice (today) and we politely decline your generous offer.

No country will send escort ships to a mined narrow straight off the coast of Iran to be sitting ducks.
No enthusiasm for a suicide mission, especially after Trump's past badmouthing of some of the countries he is now asking.

Trump's mess, Trump needs to clean it up.