Trump Considering U.S. Pullout from Strait of Hormuz, Leaving Defense to "Ungrateful" Allies
President Trump is reportedly weighing a shock withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Strait of Hormuz as Gulf and NATO partners rebuff calls for a joint task force.
President Donald Trump is seriously considering ordering a full withdrawal of U.S. naval forces from the Strait of Hormuz and handing defense responsibility entirely to regional allies, according to multiple senior administration sources.
The move stems from Trump’s frustration that Gulf partners (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and others) have refused to deploy their own warships to help secure or reopen the waterway after Iran effectively closed it to American, Israeli and allied vessels on March 4.
Sources told Bloomberg, Axios and Reuters that Trump has told advisers: “If they won’t help, let them defend it themselves.” Pentagon planners have already been instructed to prepare contingency options for a rapid U.S. pullout.
No final decision or executive order has been signed yet, but the discussions are at an advanced stage as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran enters its third week.
The potential withdrawal comes amid a growing energy crisis: only ~90 tankers have transited the strait since March 1 (down 80-90% from normal), Gulf oil and gas companies are evacuating non-essential staff, and global oil prices continue to surge.