Trump Tells Allies to 'Just Take' Oil From Blockaded Strait of Hormuz Amid War

U.S. President Donald Trump criticizes Britain and France for staying out of the Iran war, suggesting they "just take" oil from the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 8:06 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

A Sharp Escalation in Transatlantic Rhetoric The ongoing conflict between a U.S.-Israeli coalition and Iran reached a new diplomatic low on Tuesday as President Donald Trump utilized his Truth Social platform to castigate European allies. The President’s remarks follow a month of intense military operations that have effectively paralyzed one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. By explicitly telling nations like the United Kingdom and France to "just take" their energy supplies, Trump has signaled a potential end to the decades-old doctrine of U.S.-guaranteed freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf.

Criticism of European Military Neutrality The President's ire was specifically directed at the British and French governments for their refusal to participate in what he termed the "decapitation of Iran." In addition to their naval absence, Trump criticized Paris for denying overflight rights to American military transport planes destined for Israel. This public shaming highlights a deepening fracture within the Western alliance, as European leaders have expressed varying degrees of concern over the humanitarian and economic fallout of the month-long war.

The Push for American Energy Independence Beyond the call for military action, the President pivoted to a "U.S. First" energy strategy, suggesting that European nations struggling with jet fuel and crude shortages should look to American reserves. "Buy from the U.S., we have plenty," Trump stated, framing the energy crisis as a commercial opportunity for American producers. This rhetoric suggests a strategic move to leverage the conflict to reshape global energy trade routes, moving Europe away from Middle Eastern dependencies and toward American exports.

Maritime Insecurity and Global Market Volatility The Strait of Hormuz, which typically sees the passage of approximately 20% of the world's daily oil consumption, has become a high-risk combat zone. Iranian forces have effectively shuttered tanker traffic, leading to the reported torching of a giant oil tanker off the coast of Dubai earlier this week. Trump’s suggestion that allies "build up some delayed courage" and fight for their own transit indicates that the U.S. may be prepared to let global energy markets bear the brunt of the disruption unless allies commit more forces to the front lines.

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