Middle East Crisis Strait of Hormuz

Hegseth to Europe: Skip Navy Meetings – Get on a Boat

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is hitting out at Europe and Asia on the issue of closing the Strait of Hormuz, writes Bloomberg.

At a press conference on Friday, he says that European and Asian countries are “free-riding” through American protection, and that the United States needs loyal allies.

He particularly takes aim at Europe, which he believes is more dependent on gas and oil supplies from the Middle East than the United States.

– Maybe they should talk less, have fewer naval conferences and instead jump on a boat.

The minister is likely referring to the summits of Britain and France to launch an effort to protect merchant ships.

Sources: Iran Places More Mines in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has placed more mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, a US military source told Axios.

It was after Trump was given the information that he said he had ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any boats that lay mines in the strait.

According to Axios, this week’s minelaying is the second round that Iran has carried out since the war began. It is unclear whether all the mines from the first round have been found and cleared.