Hegseth on Hormuz: End of free ride

TT

Updated 19.22 | Published 16.47

          

          US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Archive photo. Photo: Kevin Wolf /AP/TT

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accuses Europe and Asia of relying on American forces regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

– Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for free ride is over, Hegseth said at a press conference on Friday.

After the US and Israeli attacks, Iran has choked traffic in the important shipping lane and stopped a significant part of the global oil flow.

European countries are discussing how to ensure free passage in the future, but have refused to intervene in the middle of an active war.

– We don't count on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do and maybe they should start doing more and talking less, says Hegseth, calling the discussions "ridiculous".

– It's much more their fight than ours.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Archive photo. Photo: Kevin Wolf /AP/TT

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accuses Europe and Asia of relying on American forces regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

– Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for free ride is over, Hegseth said at a press conference on Friday.

After the US and Israeli attacks, Iran has choked traffic in the important shipping lane and stopped a significant part of the global oil flow.

European countries are discussing how to ensure free passage in the future, but have refused to intervene in the middle of an active war.

– We don't count on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do and maybe they should start doing more and talking less, says Hegseth, calling the discussions "ridiculous".

– It's much more their fight than ours.