Amid soaring energy prices, U.S. President Trump urged countries that have not assisted in the efforts to counter Iran to address their own fuel shortage issues. In a post on “Truth Social” on Tuesday, March 31st, Trump outlined two options: either buy U.S. oil or directly take control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The joint military operations between the United States and Israel have been ongoing for over a month. Trump specifically criticized the lackluster performance of the United Kingdom and France in his post on Tuesday. Iran has effectively blocked oil tanker shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to global fuel shortages and price spikes.
“To all the countries unable to obtain aviation fuel due to the Strait of Hormuz, such as the UK which refused to participate in the Iran operations, I have a suggestion for you: first, buy from the United States as we have abundant supply; second, muster the courage and go directly to the Strait of Hormuz and take it,” Trump stated on “Truth Social.”
“You must start learning how to fight for yourselves, as the U.S. will no longer assist you there, just like you did not support us initially,” he added. He emphasized that the toughest part of the Iran action has been completed, and countries must now handle their own oil.
Furthermore, Trump criticized France for refusing to allow Israeli military transport planes to fly over French airspace.
The Strait of Hormuz, as a strategic waterway, has long been seen by the Iranian regime as leverage on a global scale. Since the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, multiple commercial ships in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz have been attacked by missiles or drones.
On March 30, a Kuwaiti oil tanker, Al-Salmi, carrying crude oil, was attacked off the coast of Dubai, leading to a fire. Following the attack on the oil tanker, international crude oil prices briefly surged again. Data from the price tracking service GasBuddy showed that on Monday, the average retail gasoline price in the U.S. surpassed $4 per gallon for the first time in over three years. The price of Brent crude oil rose to over $114 per barrel, poised to achieve the largest monthly increase.
Trump previously warned that if Iran does not reach a peaceful agreement and open the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military will destroy all its energy facilities.
Two U.S. officials revealed to Reuters on Monday that thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East. This reinforcement expands Trump’s strategic options, including the possibility of launching a ground attack on Iran.
The White House has made it clear that Trump’s deadline is April 6, by which Iran must open the Strait of Hormuz and reach an agreement.