Trump Briefed on Military Options as U.S. Forms Coalition to Secure Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump has escalated pressure on Tehran, receiving briefings from U.S. Central Command leader Brad Cooper on potential military maneuvers while establishing the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC). This international coalition, approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. In a public statement, Trump urged Iran to “get smart soon” regarding a non-nuclear deal, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the current economic blockade is effectively choking Iranian oil revenue, estimating a $6 billion loss from redirected tankers. The geopolitical tension has triggered significant volatility in global markets. Brent crude futures surged 6.2% to over $125 per barrel, while U.S. crude rose to $109.38. Global stock indices in India and Australia retreated as investors weighed the risks of a prolonged blockade. Diplomatic efforts appear to be at a standstill; Vice President JD Vance recently aborted two trips to Pakistan intended for negotiations, with U.S. officials expressing uncertainty over whether diplomats or the Revolutionary Guard currently hold decision-making power in Tehran. Regional tensions are further complicated by external hardware and proxy conflicts. Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned the U.S. against further military action during a phone call with President Trump. Meanwhile, on the Lebanese front, Israeli strikes have resulted in casualties among Lebanese army soldiers, marking the first such incidents since the extension of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed the U.S. blockade as an attempt to trigger internal collapse, rejecting it as a basis for high-level negotiations.