U.S. officials to brief diplomats on maritime security initiative for Gulf

FILE PHOTO: Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Dec. 21, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials will speak to members of the Washington diplomatic corps on Friday about a new initiative to promote freedom of navigation and maritime security around the Strait of Hormuz, the State Department said on Wednesday.

One fifth of the world's oil supply transits through this area and navigating freely through the strait is critical for the stability of the international economy.