WASHINGTON / GULF REGION, March 13, 2026: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claimed on Friday that Gulf countries are stepping up in support of Washington’s ongoing operations against Iran, describing the campaign as increasingly favoring the United States.
“The only thing that is widening is our advantage. Not to mention our Gulf allies stepping up even more now, going on the offence,” Hegseth told reporters aboard Air Force One, where he spoke alongside President Donald Trump and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Hegseth also claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for transit, despite attacks by Iran on commercial vessels, highlighting the strategic importance of the waterway that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and natural gas. At least six commercial ships were reportedly attacked this week, causing significant disruptions to regional energy trade.
The Gulf states—including Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE,
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