The United States has sharply criticised its European allies over the Iran conflict, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth accusing them of failing to support Washington’s military effort as oil prices surge amid escalating tensions.
Speaking at the Pentagon, Hegseth said European partners should be “thankful” to the US and former President Donald Trump for what he described as efforts to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear threat. He argued that Washington was acting to prevent a “terror state” from holding the world hostage.
The remarks reflect growing friction between the US and its Nato allies, many of whom have been reluctant to fully back the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. Trump has repeatedly criticised European governments, claiming they have failed to stand alongside Washington during the crisis.
Earlier this week, Trump said Nato had “abandoned the US in our time of need”, while insisting that American forces do not require allied support to continue operations.
The geopolitical tension has already spilled into global markets. Oil prices surged above $114 on Thursday after Trump warned that the US could “massively blow up” a key Iranian gas field if Tehran continues attacks on Qatar.
Brent crude has risen more than 13% over the past week, driven by fears of disruptions to energy supply from the Gulf, a region critical to global oil and gas flows.
Iran’s strikes on energy infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf states came in response to earlier Israeli attacks on its South Pars gas field, further raising the risk of a wider regional escalation.