President Donald Trump urged countries not assisting in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran to purchase American oil and “take” access to the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions remain high following a month of conflict that has disrupted global energy markets.
Trump Calls for Oil Purchases, Strait of Hormuz Access
Trump specifically criticized Britain and France for what he deemed a lack of support during the ongoing war, which has effectively closed oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and driven up energy prices. “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, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the strait, and just take it,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
He added, “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” and “The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!” Trump also criticized France for preventing military supplies from reaching Israel via its airspace.
U.S. Military Assessment
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that the coming days would be decisive in the Middle East conflict, noting major desertions within the Iranian armed forces. “We have more and more options, and they have less … in only one month we set the terms, the upcoming days will be decisive,” Hegseth said. He added that Iran has “almost nothing they can militarily do about it,” citing intelligence indicating declining morale and personnel shortages.
Hegseth reported increased vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, attributing it to Trump’s actions, and called for global preparedness. He also stated he visited troops in the Middle East on Saturday to observe the military operation against Iran. Regarding potential U.S. troop deployment in Iran, Hegseth said no option was off the table, emphasizing unpredictability regarding ground forces, with a potential timeline of “four, six, eight weeks or any number.”
Top U.S. General Caine urged Iran to consider diplomacy, while also noting the continued strikes against Iranian manufacturing, component storage, and research facilities. According to Caine, over 11,000 targets have been struck, including more than 150 ships.
International Response
The European Union is calling for restraint, with President of the European Council Antonio Costa urging de-escalation and the protection of civilians in a post on X. Costa spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the need to respect international law and address the loss of innocent lives.
Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in the Iran conflict, and will not authorize the use of its military bases for related actions, according to Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles. Italy reportedly denied U.S. military aircraft permission to land at its Sigonella air base in Sicily.
Oil Tanker Attack, Rising Prices
Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker, the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi, off Dubai on Monday, following Trump’s warnings. The conflict has spread across the Middle East, resulting in thousands of deaths and disrupting energy supplies. Crude oil prices briefly spiked after the attack, with the tanker capable of carrying around 2 million barrels of oil worth over $200 million.
The U.S. national average retail price of gasoline crossed $4 a gallon on Monday for the first time in over three years, as tightening global supplies push U.S. crude prices above $101 a barrel.
Israeli Interceptor Depletion, Ongoing Talks
Israeli news outlet Haaretz reported that Iranian missiles have an 80% success rate and are not being intercepted, with Israel having expended approximately 80% of its Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors, 54% of its David’s Sling missiles, and 45% of its THAAD interceptors. The U.S. has used 60% of its THAAD missiles deployed to Gulf states.
Trump has indicated a willingness to end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz, assessing that attempting to do so would extend the conflict beyond his four-to-six-week timeline. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said talks with Iran are progressing, despite public statements from Tehran. Trump is also considering asking Arab nations to fund the cost of the war and has requested an additional $200 billion in funding from the U.S. Congress.
Iran has received U.S. peace proposals via intermediaries, but Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei deemed them “unrealistic, illogical and excessive.” Trump, however, stated the U.S. is in talks with a “more reasonable regime” and threatened to obliterate Iran’s energy infrastructure and desalination plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened.
Thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division are deploying to the Middle East, expanding options for potential deployment inside Iranian territory, even as negotiations continue.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
