- He indicated that the United States would no longer extend assistance to such countries
- Hegseth stated during a press briefing that the strategic waterway is an international route not solely dependent on the United States
- According to the defence chief, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are ongoing
United States President Donald Trump has urged countries facing fuel shortages amid the ongoing Middle East conflict to secure oil supplies on their own, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post shared on his social media platform, Eko Hot Blog gathered that the US leader criticised nations that have remained outside the conflict, suggesting they should take responsibility for their energy needs rather than rely on American support.
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He indicated that the United States would no longer extend assistance to such countries, stressing that they should take bold steps to access oil resources directly.
Trump also claimed that Iran has been significantly weakened, adding that the most difficult phase of the conflict had already passed.
Echoing similar sentiments, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during a press briefing that the strategic waterway is an international route not solely dependent on the United States. He noted that other nations rely more heavily on the passage and should therefore take greater responsibility for its security and usage.
Hegseth added that while the US has made considerable efforts to keep the route operational, future responsibility would not rest entirely on Washington.
He further described the coming days in the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States as critical, suggesting that key developments are expected soon.
However, he declined to provide details on whether US ground troops could be deployed, stating that revealing such plans could undermine military strategy.
According to the defence chief, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are ongoing and showing signs of progress, even as military operations continue.
He also disclosed that he recently made an unannounced visit to US troops stationed under the United States Central Command, commending their efforts while withholding operational details for security reasons.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, revealed that US forces have carried out strikes on more than 11,000 targets, focusing on dismantling Iran’s missile and drone capabilities as well as disrupting supply networks supporting those systems.
The conflict, now stretching beyond a month, continues to heighten global concerns over energy security and stability in the Middle East.
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