President Donald Trump has urged European allies to secure their own oil supplies as pressure mounts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (United States Secret Service)
President Donald Trump said Tuesday countries that have stopped receiving fuel via the Strait of Hormuz should “just take it,” underscoring rising frustrations over Iran’s continued chokehold on the vital maritime shipping corridor.
The president, in a post to his Truth Social website, also criticized allied countries, including the United Kingdom, for what he sees as insufficient participation in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran as it enters its fifth week.
Trump’s post said nations hurting from the oil shortage should “buy from the U.S.” or send their own forces to the strait, where Iran has been attacking merchant vessels since the war began on Feb. 28.
“Build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” the president 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.”
Trump’s comments came as Iran launched a drone strike on a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker off the coast of Dubai. Authorities there said the fire was under control with no oil leakage or injuries reported.
One month into the war, the U.S. has reached many of its strategic goals, including killing Iran’s top leader and destroying much of its navy and weapons arsenal. But oil continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz at a trickle, with Iran allowing only a small number of ships to pass into the Persian Gulf.
In response, Trump has threatened to strike Iranian oil and energy infrastructure, suggesting this week that the U.S. could blow up or seize Kharg Island, a critical oil terminal off the coast of Iran.
Trump has repeatedly urged NATO allies to take matters into their own hands and criticized them for not getting involved. Multiple European nations have prohibited the U.S. from using their territory for operations related to the Iran war, including Spain and France.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the president’s sentiments in a news conference on Tuesday.
“There are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well,” he told reporters. “It’s not just the United States Navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.”
Oil prices around the globe have surged in the last month as tankers idle near the strait. Brent crude, an international benchmark for fuel costs, was hovering around $108 per barrel on Tuesday, up from about $72 prior to the war. In the U.S., the average price of regular gasoline hit $4 a gallon, the highest since 2022.
The Pentagon has moved thousands of additional Marines and paratroopers to the region, and the president has not ruled out a ground invasion into Iran, which would extend the conflict and likely result in a high number of U.S. casualties, experts say.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Trump told aides he is willing to end the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. The president said the U.S. should decimate Iran’s military capabilities and wind down hostilities while using diplomacy to resume the free flow of trade, the report said.
Asked about Trump supporters who are wary of a ground invasion, Hegseth on Tuesday said that they should put their trust in the president.
“I don’t understand why the base … wouldn’t have faith in his ability to execute on this. Look at his track record of pursuing peace through strength, America First outcomes,” he said. “What he’s simply saying is … we’re not going to foreclose any option.”
