US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth outlined a tougher allied burden-sharing stance during a Pentagon briefing on Friday (24 April), arguing that “Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for free riding is over.”
He added that “being an ally is not a one-way street,” stressing that the Strait of Hormuz and wider maritime security require more direct involvement from partners.
Hegseth further stated that the United States is “not counting on Europe,” adding that allies “might want to start doing less talking and having less fancy conferences in Europe and get in a boat,” framing current tensions as primarily a regional responsibility rather than a US-led obligation.
US negotiators are expected to depart for Pakistan on Saturday for renewed talks on the Iran conflict, with President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner scheduled to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, according to the White House.
However, Iranian officials have said they do not plan to meet US representatives directly, instead indicating that concerns will be conveyed through Pakistani mediation, highlighting ongoing diplomatic deadlock.
In his briefing Hegseth said Iran still has a “good deal” within reach, adding that “Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely,” and insisting that any agreement would require Iran to “abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Iran was preparing an offer to address US demands, though details remain unclear, as White House officials noted limited but emerging progress in recent discussions.
The talks come amid continued instability across the Strait of Hormuz, where sharply reduced shipping flows and disrupted oil exports have contributed to higher energy prices and broader market volatility. Analysts warn the conflict, now in its ninth week, is increasingly shaping global trade and energy security as diplomatic efforts remain uncertain.
ℹ️ US Department of War, Reuters
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