April 3, 2025
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and U.K. Secretary of State for Defence John Healey held a strategic phone call on April 3, 2025, to discuss escalating regional threats and enhance transatlantic defense cooperation.
During the call, Secretary Hegseth provided an update on recent U.S. military strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. Both officials discussed actionable steps to ensure freedom of navigation and protect global trade routes from future disruption.
Secretary Healey expressed strong support for joint efforts to maintain secure maritime passage in the region. He also reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to international security by continuing to lead the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
Secretary Hegseth thanked the U.K. for its leadership role and emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between the two nations in addressing both maritime threats and support for Ukraine’s defense.
Both defense chiefs agreed to maintain close coordination on these pressing international security issues.
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PRESS UPDATE