According to CoinMeta, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Hagel proposed last week a plan to establish joint patrol forces in the Strait of Hormuz with European allies, but received a lukewarm response from these countries. During a call with British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting, Hagel discussed how to gain ally support for US defense operations in the Gulf, rather than offensive actions. The report states that the US hopes that the UK and France will assist in leading this patrol operation, and Streeting is attempting to bring other European countries on board. However, sources familiar with the matter say that this proposal has met with cold reception in Europe, with some European nations indicating that they are only willing to participate in the patrols if there is a lasting ceasefire in the Gulf.