US President Donald Trump…Photo/courtesy
WASHINGTON
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested that allies including the United Kingdom should “take oil” from the Strait of Hormuz if supplies are disrupted, in remarks that drew swift criticism and a fair amount of raised eyebrows.
Speaking amid heightened tensions involving Iran, Trump said countries struggling to access jet fuel through the narrow shipping lane could either buy energy from the United States — “very good, very beautiful oil,” he implied — or simply head to the strait and help themselves.
The US president also suggested Washington might reconsider defending allies who, in his view, “weren’t there” for the U.S., a statement analysts say could complicate long-standing security arrangements faster than you can say “Article Five.”
Trump further claimed Iran had been “essentially decimated,” a characterization likely to be disputed by… well, anyone with a map and a functioning news feed.
Diplomats and security experts warned that any attempt to “take oil” by force would risk escalating an already volatile situation in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors — a place where even strongly worded tweets can feel like tossing a match into a fuel depot.
International reactions are expected, ranging from formal condemnations to quiet facepalms behind closed diplomatic doors.
