Trump Tells Allies to Secure Their Own Oil as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Continues

The United States will no longer bear sole responsibility for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping, President Donald Trump declared Tuesday, marking a significant shift in American foreign policy as oil and gas prices reach levels not seen in nearly a year.

In remarks to ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl, the president made clear his position on the crisis that has throttled one of the world’s most critical waterways. “I’m going to let the countries that want to buy oil police it themselves,” Trump stated. “Why should I do it for them? They weren’t there for me.”

The president’s comments represent a notable departure from his posture just days earlier. On March 21, Trump issued an ultimatum to Tehran, demanding Iran “fully open” the strait within 48 hours or face strikes on the country’s power plants. That deadline has been extended twice as negotiations reportedly continue.

The strategic waterway, through which more than 100 ships passed daily before the current crisis, now sees only a handful of vessels attempting passage each day under Iran’s effective blockade. The economic consequences have been swift and severe. Gas prices in the United States topped four dollars per gallon Tuesday, the highest level since August, with prices climbing at the fastest monthly rate on record.

Trump directed particular criticism at allied nations, especially the United Kingdom, for their reluctance to engage militarily in the crisis. In a social media post Tuesday, the president offered what he termed a suggestion to countries unable to secure jet fuel due to the Iranian blockade.

“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,” Trump wrote. “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.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the president’s position in separate remarks Tuesday, calling on nations worldwide to “be prepared to step up” rather than relying on American military power to secure their energy supplies.

“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,” Hegseth said, singling out British naval forces. The defense secretary maintained that while the United States has done “the lion’s share of preparation” to ensure the strait reopens, “it’s not just our problem set going forward.”

Hegseth characterized Trump’s approach as doing “the heavy lifting on behalf of the free world to address this threat of Iran,” while making clear the administration expects reciprocal commitment from nations that depend on Persian Gulf oil shipments.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum supply. Data from U.N. Trade and Development confirms the dramatic reduction in shipping traffic, with the economic ripple effects now reaching American consumers at the pump.

The president’s pivot from military threats to demands for allied action reflects a broader administration philosophy on burden-sharing within international security arrangements. Whether allied nations possess the capability or willingness to challenge Iran’s blockade without American leadership remains an open question, one with significant implications for global energy markets and the future of collective security in the Persian Gulf.