US President Donald Trump has demanded help from NATO to protect Strait of Hormuz as the fuel prices went sky-high after Iran blocked the vital waterway.
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Trump said that “I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their territory. It’s the place from which they get their energy”. “
“You could make the case that maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all, because we don’t need it. We have a lot of oil. In many cases, they’re NATO countries. We’re always there for NATO; we’re helping them with Ukraine,” he said.
The US president added that it would “be interesting to see what country wouldn’t help us” with the “very small endeavour” of keeping the strait open. When asked which countries have offered help, Trump said it was too early to tell and that the US has had “some positive response”.
He again reiterated that the US has destroyed Iran’s navy, but said: “It only takes a couple of people to screw up the strait, a couple of terrorists”. He added, “Their military is defeated, but all you need is a few people dropping mines here and there.”
Trump also touched on China, saying the country gets 90 percent of its oil supply through the strait. “Maybe they will, maybe they won’t” take part in the US effort, he added.
Trump urges nations to send ships to secure Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump called on other nations to send ships to help in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies that has been disrupted due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Trump stated that the United States would soon begin escorting tankers through the Strait and shared on Truth Social that “Many countries, particularly those impacted by Iran’s attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz, will be sending War Ships, in collaboration with the United States of America, to ensure the Strait remains open and secure.”
The US President further commented: “I hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, who are affected by this artificial limitation, will send Ships to the region.”
Iranian attacks have nearly ceased maritime operations in the strait, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas typically transit.
The strait is only 54 kilometers (34 miles) wide at its narrowest point.
As oil prices surged, US President Trump was inquired on Friday regarding the timeline for the US Navy to begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
“It’ll happen soon, very soon,” he responded.
In his Saturday post, Trump claimed that Iran’s military capabilities had been completely neutralised, although he acknowledged that the country still possessed the ability to launch attacks in the Strait.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or launch a close-range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, regardless of how thoroughly defeated they are,” he stated.
“We have already won war with Iran, but we do not want to leave quickly,” says Donald Trump.
Trump says US has already won war with Iran
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that the United States has “already won” its conflict with Iran, yet cautioned that American troops would not be withdrawing swiftly.
During a speech in Kentucky, Trump informed his supporters that the military campaign had greatly diminished Iran’s military strength.
“In many respects, we have already triumphed in the war,” he remarked. “However, we do not intend to depart hastily.”
Read more: “We have already won war with Iran, but we do not want to leave quickly,” says Donald Trump
