In the strait of Hormuz, where are the allies? 

On 12 March, Mojtaba Khamenei made his first public statement as supreme leader. After a quick nod to his father, he directed that “the lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely continue to be used.” The fight to keep the Strait of Hormuz open has become the Iranian main effort. 

Over the past few days, world oil prices are spiking, and gas pumps are too. In the U.S., regular gas is nearly $3.83 per gallon. Last month, it averaged $2.90. Europe is seeing even higher prices, as it remains far more dependent on Persian Gulf oil than the energy-independent U.S. In London, gas is $6.89; in Paris, $7.87; and in Frankfurt, $8.93. One can hope the U.S. Navy is close to executing its long-anticipated mine-countermine operations plans. But as it looks over the waters of the strait, it must be asking the question: “Where are the allies?” 

Maritime coalitions are hardly new. In 2008, sea traffic in the Indian Ocean was nearly paralyzed by Somali pirates hijacking ships, taking hostages, and demanding outrageous ransoms. A frustrated Condoleezza Rice, then secretary of State, built a coalition including China, Russia, Britain, France, and a host of other countries within months. Together, they created the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, focused on a comprehensive approach to the root causes of the problems, to include military and operational coordination, legal issues, self-defense and diplomatic efforts.

The effort also obtained crucial support from Kenya to prosecute captured pirates rather than continue the previous “catch-and-release” practice. The operation also obtained UN Security Council Resolution 1851 in December 2008 authorizing nations to use “all necessary means” to suppress piracy not just at sea, but also on........

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