Trump Tells Allies: Buy US Oil or Protect Strait of Hormuz Yourselves Amid Iran Tensions

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said countries dependent on Middle East oil should take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, as he blamed Iran for disruptions and rising fuel prices linked to the conflict.  In his televised address to the nation on Wednesday night (local time), Trump said recent increases in gasoline prices were “entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers and neighbouring countries that have nothing to do with the conflict.” He warned that Iran’s actions had heightened risks to global energy flows and reinforced Washington’s position on Tehran.  Trump made clear that the United States would not bear the burden of securing maritime routes alone. Referring to countries reliant on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, he said, “they must take care of that passage… they must grab it and cherish it.” He said several countries dependent on the route had stayed out of the conflict and should now act. “To those countries that can’t get fuel… many of which refuse to get involved… we had to do it ourselves,” he said. Trump offered a blunt prescription. “Number one, buy oil from the United States of America… and number two, build up some delayed courage… go to the Strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves.” (IANS)

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