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The US has once again taken a brutal shot at the Royal Navy for not helping in its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was speaking at a Pentagon press conference, where he issued an update on the latest in the war with Iran.

The biggest sticking point in a ceasefire deal has been the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has sparked fears jet fuel supplies may soon run dry. The UK has refused to be dragged into the Iran war, particularly following the US blockade of the Strait – something that has seemingly infuriated Donald Trump. In response to a question about any allies “stepping up” to phase-out US military escorts of commercial ships through the Strait, Mr Hegseth replied: “There’s a lot of talk in what we’ve seen in this conflict from allies. Some allies have talked a lot and not done anything.”

Hegseth continued: “As the President has mentioned, this is a waterway the American commerce doesn’t us that much. We don’t rely on the energy coming out of the Strait of Hormuz. Asia does, Europe does and large parts of the rest of the world do.

“Their ability to muster a collective defence or a clearing of the Strait would be a wonderful thing.

“But when shots were fired and those countries were needed the most, they weren’t there. They weren’t in the Strait. They weren’t alongside us.

“If they decide, after CENTCOM does the heavy lifting, we would welcome any countries coming in.

“Other allies need to invest in their capabilities so they can project power and do basic talks, like clearing a Strait.

“We’re not counting on it, but it would be wonderful if it were to materialise.”

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Issuing a stark warning to Iran, Hegseth said the US was “locked and loaded” and ready to act “at the push of a button.”

He said: “We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation and on your energy industry.

“We’d rather not have to do it, but we’re ready to go, at the command of our President, and at the push of a button.
The blockade is the polite way this can go.

“But your energy industry is not destroyed yet.

“To be clear. Threatening to shoot missiles and drones at commercial ships at commercial ships that are lawfully transiting international waters – that is not control. That’s piracy. That’s terrorism.”

The Defence Secretary said Iran can either “choose a prosperous future” or a poor one where will bombs will drop.

But there is an alterative. You, Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran.

“If Iran chooses poorly, they will have a blockade, as well as bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.

At the direction of President Trump, the war department will ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon.

“We would prefer to do it the nice way through a deal, or we can do it the hard way. We urge this new regime to choose wisely.”