Hegseth Accuses Europe, Asia of ‘Freeriding’ Over Hormuz (1)

April 24, 2026, 1:02 PM UTC

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused European and Asian countries of relying on the US military to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz after it was closed by the war against Iran.

“Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for freeriding is over,” Hegseth said at a news conference on Friday. “America and the free world deserve allies who are capable, who are loyal.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized European and Asian countries for relying on the US military to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He said at a Pentagon briefing Friday morning that the Navy blockade is growing and going global. Source: Bloomberg

The Pentagon chief said the US blockade of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil and gas flows out of the Persian Gulf, is growing stronger each day ...

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