Tue, March 31, 2026 at 12:47 PM UTC
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday said “there are many more vessels flowing through” the Strait of Hormuz “today than there were” previously, while doubling down on President Donald Trump’s calls for allies to be prepared to take action to keep the key waterway open.
“It’s not just the United States Navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well,” Hegseth said. Trump is “pointing out this is an international waterway that we use less than most. In fact, dramatically less than most. So the world ought pay attention and be prepared to stand up.”
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“President Trump’s been willing to do the heavy lifting on behalf of the free world to address this threat of Iran. It’s not just our problem set going forward, even though we have done the lion’s share of preparation to ensure that that strait will be open,” Hegseth added.
Iran has moved to effectively close the strait in an effort to put pressure on the U.S. and damage the global economy following the U.S.-Israeli military operation against the country. About 20% of the global oil supply passed through the strait before the war.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament this morning approved a plan to apply tolls on ships passing through the strait, Iranian state media reported, according to the Wall Street Journal.
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