United States President Donald Trump has told countries that are rattled by a fuel disruption over Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to use the sea passage and take oil.
Just as the average US retail price of petrol crossed $4 a gallon ($1 per litre) for the first time in more than three years, Trump criticised his country’s allies, including the United Kingdom, which refused to participate in the ‘decapitation of Iran’.
In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, the US president wrote: ‘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. 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.
‘Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil’!
The global energy market has experienced a topsy-turvy curve since Iran, a major oil producer, was attacked by the US and Israel last month.
Nearly two weeks ago, oil prices surged to $114 per barrel — first time since May 2‘Go get your own oil’ — Trump tells countries hit by Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz has squeezed shipping traffic to a trickle since the war began.
The disruptions in energy supply have hit countries around the world, forcing states to take hard biting energy conservation measures.
Trump has said his preference would be to take Iran’s oil.
Iran is a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). With about 208 million barrels as of 2024, it holds the world’s third largest proven crude oil reserves just after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, according to OPEC.
