US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rounded on the UK for failing to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying "last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy".
Speaking at a Pentagon news conference, he said: "I think the president was clear this morning in his Truth (Social post) that there are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well
Hegseth has rounded on the UK for failing to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying "last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy".
Speaking at a Pentagon news conference, he said: "I think the president was clear this morning in his Truth (Social post) that there are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well.
"It's not just the United States Navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.
"He's pointing out, this is an international waterway that we use less than most. In fact, dramatically less than most.
"So the world ought to pay attention to be prepared to stand up. President Trump has been willing to do the heavy lifting on behalf of the free world to address this threat of Iran.
"It's not just our problem set going forward, even though we have done lion's share of preparation to ensure that strait will will be open."
Hegseth's comments come as Trump took aim at the UK for not getting involved in the Iran war. The President continued his attack with a sarcastic rant about NATO members unwillingness to support the war on Iran as America's relations with countries that are typically allies continued to deteriorate throughout Tuesday. Trump shared a Truth Social post whch tried to shame many of them for not coming to the aid of the U.S. and Israel over the Strait of Hormuz after Iran effectively closed the major shipping route following attacks from the U.S. and Israel. In his Truth Social post, reshared on the official White House account
As Trump again threatened to pull America out of NATO, because weak leaders of European members of the alliance have been reluctant to help reopen the critical waterway, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil typically travels. Tehran has effectively closed the strait for weeks, sending global oil and gas prices spiralling. Trump's rhetoric has not helped of course, particularly the President's nonsensical claim that he was negotiating with a new, more reasonable regime in Iran.
In an outburst on Truth Social, Mr Trump wrote: “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you.
“Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”
Trump is correct in advising the UK government to start ploiting our own resources of oil and gas, given the rapid deterioration in global political stability we should be producing our own oil and gas again. Also the treasury could do with the money.
Though the American administration were reckless and foolish to start this campign which military analysts now predict will be a long war (Boggart Blog was one of many publications in mainstream and new media to warn that Iran would be a formidable opponent if attacked, he was right that Iran was and is a threat to us all.
Not only have most European nations not helped to sudue the fanatical Islamists of the Theocratic regime they have hindered the US / Israeli attempt. Put simply Trump is looking at what he puts into NATO alliance compared to what he gets out. Europeans have derided America for years, at the very least calling them unsophisticated. Well America is now going to go off in a huff and leave us to fend for ourselves. Two Tier Kweir Smarmer helped orchestrate the problem as cover for cosying up further to the EU. Much good that has done us.
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