US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has described the failure of allies to support the American military offensive against Iran as 'unconscionable', warning that the United States will remember which nations did not step up. The remarks were made in a written statement to congressional appropriations subcommittees overseeing defence spending.
Heated exchanges over allied support
Hegseth and President Donald Trump have previously singled out the United Kingdom for criticism over its reluctance to become involved in the Middle East conflict. In his statement, Hegseth said NATO had become 'beset by freeriding' in the post-Cold War era and needed to change, with allies finally honouring their commitments to collective defence. He warned: 'Not all allies have gotten the message, and where they do not step up, there will be consequences.'
He specifically criticised NATO allies for failing to support US operations against Iran, despite being more reliant on Middle East energy markets and sharing an interest in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 'This is unconscionable – and we will remember,' he added.
Rising costs and domestic discontent
The cost of the Iran war has risen to approximately $29 billion (£21.4 billion), up from $25 billion (£18.5 billion) reported two weeks ago. The mounting expense and impact on US weapons stockpiles have raised concerns on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, US motorists have seen petrol prices soar by over 50% since the conflict began, triggered by US and Israeli strikes. In retaliation, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas shipping lane, sparking a global energy crisis. The US imposed its own blockade of Iranian ports, leading to a stand-off.
The soaring fuel costs have fuelled domestic discontent over the war and raised Republican concerns ahead of the November midterm elections, which will determine the composition of Congress and several state governorships. However, President Trump stated he was not considering the economic cost to householders, arguing that the only priority was preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Ceasefire prospects dim
Trump said the Iran ceasefire was on 'life support' and dismissed Tehran's peace proposal as 'garbage', causing oil prices to spike again. Hegseth praised 'model allies' including Israel, South Korea, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states, notably omitting the UK and France. He previously dismissed efforts led by those two nations to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after the conflict as 'silly'. The future defensive mission would involve the UK deploying autonomous mine-hunting equipment, anti-drone systems, and Typhoon jets, alongside the destroyer HMS Dragon.
The US has announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, and Trump has threatened to pull military personnel from Italy and Spain over their stance on the war.
Congressional criticism
During hearings, Hegseth faced criticism from Republicans over the White House's fractious relations with long-term allies. Senator Mitch McConnell, chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee on defence, said: 'Nato is the most important military alliance in world history. It seems to me that a lot of the European countries think that we’re reducing our influence there, they’re sort of on their own.' Congressman Tom Cole, Republican chairman of the House appropriations committee, added: 'America First has never meant America alone. American power is most effective when it’s exercised in concert with like-minded nations who share our interests and our values.'
Trump said Iran was 'very much under control' and that the topic would not necessarily be a major discussion point when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the president would push for China to take a 'more active role' on Iran, stressing the economic benefits. He told Fox News: 'It’s in their interest to resolve this. We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they’re doing now and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf.'
