Washington, April 24 (IANS) The US on Friday sharply criticised European allies for failing to take a more active role in securing global shipping lanes, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth saying the “time for free riding is over” as tensions escalate around Iran.

Hegseth said Europe and Asia were far more dependent on energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz than the US, and should contribute more to safeguarding maritime routes.

“Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for free riding is over,” he said during a Pentagon briefing.

“We are not counting on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do,” he added.

The remarks come as the US intensifies enforcement of a Naval blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping, part of a broader effort to pressure Tehran over its nuclear programme and regional actions.

Hegseth dismissed recent European diplomatic efforts as insufficient.

“You saw… a silly conference in Europe… where they got together and talked about talking about maybe doing something eventually,” he said.

He added that Washington would welcome meaningful participation from allies but stressed that no serious operational support had materialised so far.

“We would welcome a serious European effort to do something about this… considering it’s their energy capabilities that are most at stake,” Hegseth said.

The US has deployed naval assets across the region and beyond, enforcing restrictions on vessels linked to Iranian ports and warning that the blockade will expand further.

Hegseth framed the issue as a broader test of alliance commitments.

“Being an ally is not a one-way street. It’s a two-way street,” he said.

He added that countries relying on global trade routes must demonstrate both capability and willingness to act.

“Either you have capabilities or you don’t… otherwise you’re at the mercy of a country like Iran,” Hegseth said.

The Pentagon’s comments reflect growing US frustration over burden-sharing within Nato and beyond, particularly in crisis zones affecting global energy markets.

–IANS

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