President Trump suggested Monday that the U.S. should be paid for protecting the ships of other countries in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Why are we protecting the shipping lanes for other countries (many years) for zero compensation. All of these countries should be protecting their own ships on what has always been a dangerous journey,” Trump tweeted.
“We don’t even need to be there,” Trump said, referring to the U.S. having its own oil supply.
….a dangerous journey. We don’t even need to be there in that the U.S. has just become (by far) the largest producer of Energy anywhere in the world! The U.S. request for Iran is very simple – No Nuclear Weapons and No Further Sponsoring of Terror!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 24, 2019
The U.S. has accused Iran of attacking two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman this month as tensions have simmered between the U.S. and Iran amid the Trump administration imposing sanctions on Iran and deeming the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization. Washington has also canceled waivers for countries buying Iranian oil without a penalty.
Iran responded by threatening to prevent tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. It also shot down a U.S. naval surveillance drone.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday he had discussed growing tensions in the region with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud but did not go as far as calling for other countries to compensate the U.S.
Productive meeting with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud today to discuss heightened tensions in the region and the need to promote maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. Freedom of navigation is paramount. pic.twitter.com/efuZq5EOpK
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) June 24, 2019
