 "President Donald Trump.")
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday singled out the United Kingdom while urging countries facing jet fuel shortages due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz to either buy fuel from the US or “take it” themselves, adding that Washington would no longer come to their aid.
In a post on Truth Social , Trump said, “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.”
Trump further warned that countries would need to “start learning how to fight for” themselves, saying the United States would no longer provide assistance as it had in the past.
“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,” he added.
He also claimed that Iran had been “essentially, decimated,” suggesting that the most difficult phase of the conflict had already been completed.
Trump’s comments follow reports in the Wall Street Journal suggesting he would consider ending the US military campaign even if Iran continues to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and gas shipments.
Iran’s selective blockade of the maritime chokepoint, coupled with attacks on Gulf states, has contributed to rising global energy prices. The risks to regional shipping were highlighted this week when a Kuwaiti oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Dubai.
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Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with UK for refusing to join US and Israeli military operations against Iran. At the start of the conflict, the UK denied permission for the US to use the Diego Garcia base to launch strikes.
Last week, Trump renewed his criticism, calling British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s stance “a big mistake” and dismissing UK warships as “toys.”
He also quipped that Starmer was “no Winston Churchill” and described the prime minister’s refusal to grant access to RAF bases during the initial attacks as “shocking.”
Referring to Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands, Trump said, “When we needed the island to land that beautiful B2 bomber, we were told we can’t use it.”
“I think he’s (Starmer) is a lovely man, but I think he did something that was shocking. He didn’t want to help us,” added the president.
The UK government later approved the use of its bases for “defensive” US operations targeting Iranian missile sites, though tensions over cooperation remain high.
With inputs from agencies