Nearly two months into the U.S.-led Iran War, Europe is now trying to jump on the Strait of Hormuz bandwagon. In recent days, some 30 European nations, led by France and the United Kingdom, began meetings to discuss the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative. It is basically their plan to clean up and secure the Strait of Hormuz---but only after war ends. In the meantime, the U.S. is risking blood and treasure to secure the strait from Iranian threats while enforcing a blockade on Iranian oil.
Iran's threats and attacks on the Strait of Hormuz are doing far more damage to Europe than the U.S., since we don't rely on oil moving through the strait. Yet the U.S. is actually standing up to the Iranian bully, while Europe holds meetings and considers future initiatives. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called out Europe for being a day late and a dollar short when it comes to Iran and the strait. "Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for freeriding is over," said Hegseth in his latest news conference. "America and the free world deserve allies who are capable, who are loyal, and who understand that being an ally is not a one-way street."
Hegseth went on to directly challenge Europe to be an active participant in security efforts, rather than a wallflower waiting for the music to stop. "We are not counting on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do," he said. "And they might want to start doing less talking and having less fancy conferences in Europe, and get in a boat."
"This is much more their fight, than ours."
Photo: AFP Infographics