President Donald Trump excoriated two U.S. allies on Tuesday for failing to support U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran adequately.
In a message directed toward the United Kingdom, Trump suggested the British government either buy jet fuel from the United States or take oil from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
“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,” he wrote on Truth Social.
The U.K. is facing a shortage of jet fuel as it is set to receive the last tanker of that resource from the Middle East this week.
“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,” the president said. “Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked since the U.S. and Israel started striking Iran on Feb. 28. In turn, the strait’s closure has put enormous pressure on global oil prices.
On Monday, Brent crude rose over 3% to top $116 a barrel — just shy of the $119-per-barrel high mark on March 19. In terms of average gas prices, the U.S. passed $4 per gallon Tuesday morning for the first time since 2022.
Besides the U.K., Trump issued a stern warning to France after the European nation closed its airspace to the U.S. military en route to Israel.
“The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory,” he posted on social media. “France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the ‘Butcher of Iran,’ who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!”
Israel reportedly blocked France from buying defense products in light of the latter’s decision to restrict U.S. military aircraft from flying over French territory. The decision, reported by the Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, marks the latest sign of yearslong tensions between Israel and France.
Compared to the U.S., the U.K. and France have been less aggressive in their response to Iran. Instead of taking part in military action, London and Paris are favoring a more diplomatic approach to the war.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a key point of tension between the U.S. and its European allies. Trump has called for forcibly securing the closed strait, while NATO has not committed troops to the cause yet. Trump lambasted the 32-nation military alliance for reluctantly backing the U.S. in the attacks against Iran.
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“I’ve long said that, you know, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So … this was a great test, because we don’t need them, but they should have been there,” he told reporters in the Oval Office last week.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the intergovernmental body is coordinating a 22-nation coalition to ensure the safe passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. That commitment has not yet translated to military action on NATO’s part.
