WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The White House is planning to announce a multinational coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing U.S. officials.

The plan, which remains under discussion, could be unveiled "as soon as this week," the report said.

Publicly, many governments have been noncommittal to such an escort mission until hostilities end, given the risks involved, according to the report.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday called for the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and pledged to open new fronts in his country's conflict with the United States and Israel.

The United States and Israel began military attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy. ■