On March 31 (local time), Trump posted on Truth Social: “I have a suggestion for all the countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, for example countries like the U.K., which refused to participate in the decapitation of Iran’s leadership. First, buy it from the United States. We have plenty.”
He added: “Second, muster whatever courage you have, go to the Strait of Hormuz, and take it.”
Trump warned, “You must start learning to fight on your own. Just as you weren’t there for us, the United States will no longer be there to help you.”
“Iran is effectively devastated; the hard part is over. Go secure your oil yourselves,” he wrote.
In a follow-up post 8 minutes later, Trump singled out France, accusing it of trying to block flights carrying military supplies to Israel from flying over French territory. “France provided no help regarding the very successfully removed ‘Iran’s butcher,’” he said, adding, “The United States will remember this.”
Analysts say Trump’s comments could unsettle NATO, the cornerstone of Western military cooperation, by suggesting the U.S. might withdraw from the alliance or, short of withdrawal, decline to honor its defense commitments to Europe under the NATO charter.
On March 27, Trump had said, “Because we spend hundreds of billions of dollars on NATO every year, the United States would make a lot of money if we left NATO,” adding, “We’ve always stood by them, but given their actions, we may no longer need to.”
Sen. Marco Rubio also commented: “If NATO only means we defend Europe when it’s attacked while Europe refuses to host our forces when we need them, that’s not a very good deal. It’s hard to call that good for the United States. So we should review the whole arrangement.”
