In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, Pete Hegseth on Friday criticised European powers for what he called “silly” diplomacy on the Strait of Hormuz, urging them to take concrete action in a region critical to global energy flows.
Reacting to last week’s conference hosted by United Kingdom and France on maritime safety, Hegseth said Washington would welcome a “serious” European effort instead of “fancy conferences,” stressing that Europe has far more at stake given its dependence on Gulf energy supplies.
“Europe needs this passage more than we do,” he said, adding bluntly that allies should “do less talking and get in a boat.” He also made it clear that the United States is no longer relying on European support in the crisis.
At the same briefing, Hegseth struck a defiant tone on Iran, underscoring that the administration of Donald Trump is in no rush to negotiate an end to the conflict.
“We have all the time in the world,” he said, reiterating that “the ball is in Iran’s court” to abandon its nuclear programme as a precondition for any deal.
The remarks reflect a shift from earlier timelines floated by Trump, even as the conflict approaches the two-month mark with no breakthrough in sight.
Hegseth warned that any attempt by Iran to deploy naval mines in the Strait would be treated as a direct violation of the ongoing ceasefire, vowing a firm US response.
While maritime transit continues, he acknowledged it is “much more limited” and riskier due to what he described as Iran’s “irresponsible actions.”
The warning comes amid an expanding US naval posture. Since April 13, US forces have effectively blockaded traffic to and from Iranian ports along the Strait,through which nearly 20% of global oil, petroleum products and LNG supplies transit, while allowing non-Iranian vessels to pass under specific conditions.
The sharp criticism of Europe follows Trump’s earlier threat to reconsider US commitments to NATO after allies refused to join a US-Israel military push against Iran or deploy warships to the Strait.
The latest comments underscore a widening transatlantic divide, with Washington signalling it is prepared to act unilaterally in securing one of the world’s most critical energy corridors,even as diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
