U.S. Defense Secretary Criticizes Allies on Hormuz Aid

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharply criticized European and Asian allies on Friday for failing to commit naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments that has been largely closed amid the ongoing war with Iran.

Speaking at a Pentagon news conference alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine, Hegseth dismissed recent European discussions on the issue as insufficient. He referred to a gathering of military planners from about 30 countries in London earlier this week as a "silly conference" where participants talked about possibly taking action at some point. "Those are not serious efforts, yet," Hegseth said, adding that the United States would welcome genuine contributions from allies, particularly since European energy supplies depend heavily on the strait.

The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran, prompting Tehran to threaten and effectively block tanker traffic through the strait in retaliation. The waterway, which handles roughly 20 percent of the world's oil supply, has seen significant disruptions, driving up global energy prices. In...