Defense chief Pete Hegseth berated European and Asian nations for depending on the U.S. military to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz after its closure due to the war with Iran.
Speaking at a news conference on April 24, Hegseth stated:
Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for free-riding is over. America and the free world deserve allies who are capable and loyal.
He added that while the U.S. is not counting on Europe, “they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do.” He suggested that allies “might want to start doing less talking and having fewer fancy conferences in Europe and get in a boat.”
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