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Hegseth Blasts Europe, Asia for ‘Freeriding’ on US Hormuz Action
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April 24, 2026
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32:00Now PlayingDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized European and Asian countries for 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.”
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 after reports that some vessels were circumnavigating US Navy vessels in the area.
The US launched the blockade amid Iranian resistance to President Donald Trump’s demands for a ceasefire, with the strait largely closed to tanker traffic by Iranian threats — raising global energy prices significantly since the US and Israel launched the war in late February. President Donald Trump will send two envoys for talks with Iran in Pakistan, CNN reported, while Tehran sounded a more pessimistic tone on the prospects of further negotiations.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to participate in talks this weekend with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to the report, which cited two administration officials. No talks are slated to take place between the two parties during the foreign minister’s trip, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported earlier.
Vice President JD Vance, the lead negotiator for the US, isn’t currently expected to join the delegation, CNN said. The White House didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Araghchi earlier said he was headed to Pakistan, but poured cold water on speculation that the US and Iran were close to a second round of negotiations to end the eight-week war, posting on social media that the purpose of his travel is to “closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments.”
Officials in Pakistan familiar with the matter said they expected a second round of peace talks between the US and Iran, while declining to say when the negotiations would happen or at what level.
Abbas Araghchi
The announcement came as the US increased pressure on Iran with its naval blockade, seeking to get Tehran to agree to talks, while Israel and Lebanon are set to extend a ceasefire for three weeks.
Trump ordered the US Navy to shoot any boat putting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, after the military intercepted two oil supertankers that tried to evade restrictions on traffic to and from Iran’s ports.
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