Trump Issues Scorched-Earth Ultimatum to U.S. Allies
As the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed, President Trump tells the UK and "sidelined" allies to stop relying on the U.S. military. With oil at $108, find out why the White House is telling the world to "buy American" or "start fighting" for their own fuel.
President Donald Trump delivered a blunt message to U.S. allies today, telling nations struggling with jet-fuel shortages caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that America is no longer willing to carry the burden for them.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump singled out the United Kingdom, which he said refused to participate in the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, and urged affected countries to either buy fuel from the United States or take direct action to reopen the vital waterway.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” Trump wrote.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
The remarks come on the 32nd day of Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign that has destroyed more than 11,000 Iranian targets. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil and much of the region’s jet fuel passes, has been effectively shut down by Iranian mines, missile strikes, and naval threats since the early days of the conflict.
White House officials confirmed the president’s comments reflect a long-standing frustration with European and Gulf allies who have provided limited or no direct military support in the operation. Several NATO members and Gulf states have cited domestic political concerns and fear of escalation as reasons for staying on the sidelines.
The U.K. government has not yet issued an official response to Trump’s post. Oil prices surged again Tuesday, with Brent crude climbing above $108 per barrel as traders priced in continued disruption to Middle East energy flows.
This marks the latest in a series of pointed messages from the president directing allies to assume greater responsibility for their own security and energy needs now that, in his words, “the hard part is done.”