US media recently revealed that US Secretary of Defense Hegseth proposed plans to European allies last week to establish a joint patrol force in the Strait of Hormuz, which was met with a lukewarm response from these countries. “Politics” reported using several British, American, and European officials as sources that Hegseth proposed the idea of establishing a patrol force during a conversation with British Secretary of Defense Wes Strittin on the 24th. The two focused on how Britain and the US can coordinate allies to support US defense operations in the Gulf rather than attacks. Hegseth, Strittin, and French Defense Minister Catherine Waterland held a tripartite call on the 27th to continue discussions on the plan. The report said that the US hopes that Britain and France can help lead this patrol operation, and Strittin is winning over other European countries to “join forces.” However, people familiar with the matter said that the proposal was getting cold in Europe. Some European countries said they are willing to participate in patrols only if a lasting cease-fire is achieved in the Gulf. The report did not specify which European countries rejected the US proposal.

US media recently revealed that US Secretary of Defense Hegseth proposed plans to European allies last week to establish a joint patrol force in the Strait of Hormuz, which was met with a lukewarm response from these countries. “Politics” reported using several British, American, and European officials as sources that Hegseth proposed the idea of establishing a patrol force during a conversation with British Secretary of Defense Wes Strittin on the 24th. The two focused on how Britain and the US can coordinate allies to support US defense operations in the Gulf rather than attacks. Hegseth, Strittin, and French Defense Minister Catherine Waterland held a tripartite call on the 27th to continue discussions on the plan. The report said that the US hopes that Britain and France can help lead this patrol operation, and Strittin is winning over other European countries to “join forces.” However, people familiar with the matter said that the proposal was getting cold in Europe. Some European countries say they are willing to participate in patrols only if a lasting cease-fire is achieved in the Gulf. The report did not specify which European countries rejected the US proposal.