By Our Correspondent
Washington, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a sharp rebuke at key European allies, including the United Kingdom and France, declaring that the United States will no longer assist them in securing oil supplies blocked by the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. The stern message comes amid heightened tensions linked to the U.S.–Israel military campaign against Iran and the resulting disruption of global oil shipments.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump directly addressed countries struggling with fuel shortages after Iran’s effective closure of the narrow but strategically vital waterway, where roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil transits. He told nations that have not supported U.S. military actions against Tehran that they now must either purchase oil from the United States or take military action themselves to secure access. Trump wrote that the United States has plenty of fuel to sell and urged them to build up courage, go to the Strait, and take it themselves.
Trump’s comments mark a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy rhetoric toward traditional allies. He criticized the United Kingdom for what he described as a refusal to be involved in the “decapitation” of Iranian leadership and singled out France for blocking military resupply flights to Israel. The president said that the United States will no longer be there to help, asserting that countries must begin learning how to fight for themselves.
Officials in Washington have indicated that the Trump administration is prepared to end the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. The decision stems from an effort to meet Trump’s own timeline for the conflict while shifting diplomatic pressure onto European and Gulf states to take responsibility for reopening the strategic waterway.
The closure of the Strait and Trump’s remarks have already affected global markets. Oil prices surged sharply, with Brent crude climbing toward $118 a barrel, contributing to higher gasoline and diesel costs worldwide. In the United Kingdom, diesel prices at the pump reached record levels. Heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil and the disruption of tanker traffic have exacerbated inflationary pressures and strained national economies.
European leaders have reacted cautiously, emphasizing diplomatic channels and warning against hasty military action. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convened emergency meetings to address the economic fallout from energy shortages, while countries like Germany reinforced their stance that military intervention in the crisis is not viable without broad international consensus.
The crisis underscores deepening fractures in long‑standing alliances. Trump, who has a history of clashing with NATO partners over defense spending and burden‑sharing, framed his message as a consequence of perceived lack of support by those nations during the campaign against Iran. Analysts say this rhetoric threatens to weaken transatlantic cooperation at a time when coordinated action could be critical for both security and economic stability.
Iran, for its part, has shown no indication of easing its blockade, and recent attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf have heightened concerns about further escalation. The possibility of military operations to seize the strait or pressure Tehran into reopening it remains uncertain, with Trump’s strategy still evolving amid conflicting international responses.
