The United States pressures allies to "step up" efforts to assist in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz

Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said on the 18th that the U.S. is “maintaining communication” with European and Middle East allies and urging them to “increase their efforts” to help the U.S. ensure the safe passage of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to the media that day, Leavitt said, “The president and his team, especially Defense Secretary Hegseth and Secretary of State Rubio, are continuing to maintain communication with their European counterparts and with America’s allies in the Arab and Gulf regions, urging these countries to increase their efforts and provide more assistance for the U.S. to ensure the safety and security of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.” Leavitt said that ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz better serves the interests of the U.S.’s allies, not those of the U.S. (Xinhua)