Donald Trump said allies would have to fight for themselves

[Deeq A.]

Donald Trump said the UK and other countries which did not take part in strikes against Iran should secure the Strait of Hormuz themselves.

The US president said countries which “refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran” should “build up some delayed courage, go to the strait and just take it”.

In the latest sign that his Middle East campaign has severely damaged long-standing relationships, Mr Trump suggested its allies will “have to start learning how to fight for yourself”.

The UK was the only country named in a post by Mr Trump on his Truth Social platform.

The president’s comments came less than an hour before Buckingham Palace announced the King and Queen will make a state visit to the US in late April, giving an indication of the diplomatic tensions Charles will have to navigate.

Mr Trump wrote: “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 U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

“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.

“Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”

Mr Trump’s comments came after reports in the Wall Street Journal that he would be willing to end the US military campaign even if Iran maintains its stranglehold over the strait, a vital shipping route for global oil and gas supplies.

(PA Graphics) (PA Graphics)

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth rounded on the UK for failing to send warships to the region, saying “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”.

Mr Hegseth said: “President Trump has been willing to do the heavy lifting on behalf of the free world to address this threat of Iran.

“It’s not just our problem set going forward, even though we have done the lion’s share of preparation to ensure that strait will will be open.”

Iran’s selective blockade of the maritime chokepoint and its attacks on the Gulf states have pushed up global energy prices.

In the latest sign of the risk to shipping in the region a Kuwaiti oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Dubai.

Sir Keir Starmer discussed the situation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Downing Street.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discussed the Middle East crisis with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (Justin Tallils/PA) (Justin Tallis)

“They discussed the need for a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in the face of the severe economic impact of prolonged closure, and agreed to work with others to restore freedom of navigation,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

Sir Keir was also chairing a meeting of the Cobra crisis committee to consider the impact on households and the wider economy from soaring energy costs.

Average energy bills are forecast to rise by almost £300 from July while motorists are already counting the cost of the war, with drivers paying £544 million extra for fuel since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began.

The price most households pay for energy under regulator Ofgem’s cap will fall by £117-a-year to £1,641 from Wednesday, driven by the Government’s promise to cut bills by an average of £150 by removing green subsidies.

But respected energy analyst Cornwall Insight said its prediction for the watchdog’s price cap from July to September now stands at £1,929 for a typical dual fuel household – an increase of £288 or 18% on April’s cap.

Energy consumers minister Martin McCluskey said: “Tackling the affordability crisis is our number one priority and I know many families will be thinking about how events in the Middle East might impact the cost of living at home.

“We will continue to fight people’s corner through this crisis and, as the Energy Secretary (Ed Miliband) has said, if it’s necessary to intervene, we will.”

The costs for homes reliant on heating oil, which are not covered by the Ofgem cap, have already soared.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero figures showed the average price per litre of standard grade burning oil stood at 104.1p in March, nearly double the average in February (53.5p) and the highest monthly figure since official data began in January 1989.

The Government has announced a £53 million package of support for heating oil customers.

Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation estimated that rises in pump prices since the conflict in the Middle East began on February 28 have led to motorists paying an additional £409 million for diesel and £135 million for petrol.

Average diesel prices are up 40p a litre since the war began, while petrol has gone up 20p.

Sir Keir has previously promised to keep a planned rise in fuel duty from September “under review in light of what’s happening in Iran” and the Government has stepped up efforts to help drivers find the cheapest fuel in their area through a price comparison app.

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