Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The US on April 16 called on allies to do more to secure critical maritime routes in the Gulf, saying Washington cannot be expected to shoulder the burden alone amid escalating tensions with Iran.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said while some regional partners had supported US efforts, many countries had failed to act when needed.
“Other allies have talked a lot and haven’t done anything,” he added, referring to the response during recent hostilities. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, he said the responsibility for securing global waterways should be shared by countries that depend heavily on energy shipments through the region.
Hegseth noted that the US does not rely heavily on energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
“This is a waterway that the American commerce doesn’t use all that much… but Asia does, and Europe does, and large parts of the rest of the world do,” he said. He said countries benefiting from the stability of the route should contribute to its security.
