Trump makes major claim over Strait of Hormuz as world inches towards energy crisis | World | News
Donald Trump has claimed the Strait of Hormuz can “easily” reopen with “a little more time” – as the world remains on the brink of an energy crisis. Taking to Truth Social, the US President said: “With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A ‘GUSHER’ FOR THE WORLD??? President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The US President’s message comes after, earlier this week, he suggested the UK and other countries relying on the strait for oil delivery should wage military action themselves. He said countries which rely on the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane for oil should “build up some delayed courage” and “just grab it”.
The US president also said after the Iran conflict was over, the critical waterway would “just open up naturally”. Speaking at the White House lon Tuesday, Mr Trump also said oil prices will “come tumbling down” once US forces withdraw from the country.
Mr Trump previosuly threatened to quit NATO in response to the perceived lack of support during the war and the blockade of the strait. The conflict has strained transatlantic tensions, with Mr Trump frequently lambasting the UK and other countries over their reluctance to being drawn into the military action, known by the US as Operation Epic Fury.
In the face of ongoing military strikes by the US and Israel, Iran has tightened its grip on the strait, sending global oil and gas prices skyrocketing. Despite soaring fuel prices in the US causing a headache for motorists, as in other countries, Mr Trump insisted America did not need oil going through the maritime pinch point.
He said: “The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz strait must take care of that passage. They must cherish it. They must grab it and cherish it. They can do it easily. We will be helpful, but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on. So to those countries that can’t get fuel, many of which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, we had to do it ourselves.”
The U.S. President also said that countries who receive oil through the straight should “buy oil from the United States of America”. “We have plenty. We have so much, and number two, build up some delayed courage. Should have done it before. Should have done it with us as we asked, go to the strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves,” he said.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to host talks with a coalition of countries on Thursday aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Britain is seeking to lead a diplomatic initiative, understood to include 35 countries such as France, Germany and some Gulf nations, to restore access to the waterway, but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has admitted it will not be easy.
Following the UK-led meeting, military planners will consider how to make the strait “accessible and safe” after the fighting has stopped, although this is not expected to involve the deployment of Royal Navy warships to police the waterway.
Sir Keir discussed the need for allies to cooperate on “a plan for full freedom of navigation to resume when circumstances allow” in a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to a No 10 readout.
