WATCH: Pete Hegseth takes aim at 'free riding' Europe in direct swipe - 'Much more their fight than ours!'

Georgia Pearce
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:25:48 +0000

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has hit out at Europe in a direct swipe amid America's efforts in Iran.

Addressing a press conference at The Pentagon, Mr Hegseth said: "Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for free riding is over.

"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. It's a two way street.

"We are not counting on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do, and 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."

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