Iran-US war latest: Hegseth demands Europe ‘stop talking and get in a boat’ to open Strait of Hormuz after Falklands threat – UK Times

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has told Europe to “stop talking and get in a boat” to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

In a press briefing, the US defence secretary said the military’s blockade on Iran is going global, adding Tehran had a chance to make a “good deal” with Washington.

“Our blockade is growing and going global,” Hegseth told reporters.

“No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy,” he said.

Thirty-four ships had been turned around from the Strait of Hormuz by the US Navy so far, he said.

The United States has burned through billions of dollars’ worth of its critical weapons stockpile in the war with Iran, according to a report. ​

The conflict, which began on February 28, has seen the Pentagon using more than 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles, each of which costs more than $4 million.

The military has also used up around 1,100 of its long-range stealth cruise missiles stockpiled for a war with China, according to congressional officials and internal Defense Department estimates obtained by the New York Times.​

More than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired, too, which is around 10 times the amount currently bought by the U.S. Military each year.

Our US reporter Owen Scott writes:

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Downing Street has refused to say whether the government is confident the UK could defend the Falkland Islands if its sovereignty over the territory was challenged.

It comes amid reports the US is considering reassessing its support for Britain’s claim to the Islands.

Asked whether the government is is confident the UK could defend the territory, the prime minister’s official spokesperson told reporters on Friday: “The question of the Falkland Islands and the UK’s sovereignty, and the islanders’ right to self determination is not in question. And you know, we’ve expressed our position clearly and consistently.”

Pressed on whether the UK is confident on its ability to defend the territory, the spokesperson insisted: “That’s just not the situation we’re in. That’s a hypothetical.”

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

A former military chief has hit out at reports that the US could review Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands as revenge for a lack of support in the Iran war, dubbing the threats an “insult”.

A leaked internal Pentagon email suggested a review of Washington’s position on Britain’s claim to the islands, as US officials outlined ways to punish Nato allies for their response to the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.

The confidential memo, which also considers suspending Spain from the alliance, expresses frustration over certain allies’ reluctance or refusal to support Washington’s military action against Tehran.

Admiral Lord West of Spithead – the commanding officer of HMS Ardent, a ship which was sunk in the Falklands War – told The Independent the reports were an “insult to the autonomous, self-reliant and free people of the Falkland Islands”, adding: “How dare they?”

But he also dismissed the threats, saying that, militarily, losing US support for British sovereignty would have “no impact”.

“The recognition or otherwise by the US does not make the Islands less secure”, the former Royal Navy commander-in-chief added.

Mike Huckabee, the US envoy to Israel, who was on hand for the White House talks, said the “people of Lebanon, the people of Israel are neighbours and they want to get along”.

“They can get along,” he said.

“But it’s like neighbours who have a rough little kid living in the neighbourhood who keeps throwing rocks at everybody’s window.

“And if the kid will quit throwing rocks, the neighbours can get along and start actually working together.”

The US has placed a $10m bounty on the leader of an Iranian-backed Shia militia in Iraq.

The US state department’s Rewards for Justice program issued a notice it sought the leader of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

It said Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji led the group, whose members “killed Iraqi civilians and attacked US diplomatic facilities in Iraq”.

It also said Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada attacked US military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria.

Iran’s footballers and staff will be welcome on American soil for the 2026 World Cup, secretary of state Marco Rubio has insisted, after it was revealed the idea of replacing the country with Italy was floated to Donald Trump.

Iran’s participation in the World Cup, jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, has been cast into doubt with the US-Iran conflict still unresolved.

Paolo Zampolli, an envoy to the US president, confirmed to The Financial Times that he had suggested to Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino that four-time winners Italy could make a suitable replacement for Iran.

“I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament,” Zampolli said. “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”

Pakistan’s foreign minister has spoken with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, who phoned him earlier today.

Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar had underscored the importance of dialogue and engagement between Tehran and the US, a statement from the ministry said.

Islamabad is trying to bring Washington and Tehran back around the negotiating table, so far unsuccessfully.

A spokesperson for German company Hapag-Lloyd spokesperson has said that one of its ships has crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

The company said it does not have any information on the circumstance or timing.

They said that now four out of initially six ships remain in the Gulf, after one ship’s charter agreement expired, meaning it no longer belongs to the Hapag-Lloyd fleet.