Washington, July 11 (IANS) The United States has assumed the chairmanship of a coalition for cooperation in critical mineral supply chains following South Korea’s “successful” term as its chair, the State Department announced in a media note.

The U.S. undertook the chairmanship of the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE), a coalition of like-minded nations working together to establish “secure, diversified and resilient” critical mineral supply chains, according to the department, reports Yonhap news agency.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched FORGE during a ministerial meeting in Washington in February, amid U.S. efforts to step up cooperation with allies to strengthen and diversify supply chains for critical minerals, over which China has wielded formidable influence.

“During its chairmanship, the United States will continue championing efforts to safeguard the national and economic security of the United States by working alongside FORGE partners to accelerate critical mineral projects that power our economy and underpin our security,” the department said.

“The United States looks forward to a productive tenure as chair and remains committed to working with our partners to create secure supply chains of some of the key critical minerals,” it added.

Previously, South Korea also chaired the Minerals Security Partnership, a precursor to FORGE.

Meanwhile, the United States has told Iran that the ceasefire with it is “over” though Washington agreed to continue talks with the Islamic Republic, U.S. President Donald Trump said, following an escalation of tensions caused by an exchange of strikes this week.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post, amid concerns that the exchange of attacks could derail negotiations aimed at fully reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz, ending Iran’s disputed nuclear programme and bringing a permanent end to their months-long war.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks’,” he wrote on Truth Social. “We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!”

—IANS

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