Donald Trump has launched a tirade against European countries that refused to join his war against Iran, calling out the UK and France as transatlantic relations sour from the spiralling conflict. On his Truth Social website, the US president told governments worried about fuel prices to 'go get your own oil' by force from the Gulf, comments that sent oil prices even higher.
Later on Tuesday, Trump said US forces would end operations in Iran 'very soon,' evoking a timeline of two to three weeks as his administration pursues talks with Iranian authorities. He also told reporters that the responsibility for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open will rest with countries that rely on it, adding: 'That's not for us … That'll be for whoever's using the strait.'
In a tentative sign of a more proactive European pushback to the war, France blocked Israeli planes from flying weapons through its airspace, while Italy refused last-minute permission for US bombers to land in Sicily. Spain has already denied the US use of its bases and airspace, and Madrid's defence minister said the country would not 'accept lectures from anyone'. The UK, which has allowed the US to use its bases for a war its government says is illegal, has nonetheless received public admonishment from Trump.
In his Tuesday posts, Trump said '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', should buy US oil instead. He suggested they should also 'build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT'. The US secretary of defence, Pete Hegseth, repeated the call, saying there were countries that 'ought be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well', and called out the UK: 'Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.'
Global frustration with the economic fallout is growing. The Irish taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said the oil supply shock caused by the US-Israeli attack on Iran was 'probably the worst ever'. With average US gas prices passing $4 a gallon for the first time in four years, Trump now faces the prospect of a domestic backlash to a conflict he is unable to end with violence, threats or flattery.
