WASHINGTON — President Trump lashed out at the UK and France on Tuesday for staying out of the Iran war, suggesting the Brits should “just take” the Strait of Hormuz themselves to replenish lost oil.
In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump called out the US allies for being “VERY UNHELPFUL” and declining “to get involved in the decapitation of Iran — despite griping about how the chokepoint in the strait has affected their oil supply.
“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,” the president challenged.
“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. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
The president also accused the French of halting “planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies” from flying over their territory.
The warnings come after Trump gave Tehran an April 6 deadline to return to the negotiating table or risk having its energy infrastructure — including electrical plants and oil wells — completely obliterated in a bombing campaign.
He threatened that the US would take Kharg Island, a central hub in Iran’s oil exports out of the Persian Gulf, if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened.
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes out of the strait and its closure has caused prices to spike as much as 50% in recent weeks.
