Trump Tells UK to "Build Up Some Delayed Courage" and Fight for Its Own Oil In Latest Rant

Donald Trump has launched his sharpest attack yet on Britain and other allies who declined to join the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, telling them that the United States "won't be there to help you anymore" and demanding that they take matters into their own hands in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, 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!"

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth followed up at a press briefing, taking direct aim at the Royal Navy. "There are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well," he said. "It's not just the United States Navy. 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." He added: "I think other countries should pay attention. He's pointing out, you know, might want to start learning how to fight for yourself."

Downing Street pointed to Starmer's repeated statements that his focus is on de-escalation rather than widening the conflict. The UK did allow the US to use RAF bases for "limited specific defensive purposes" earlier in the war, but has consistently said it would not be drawn into the wider fighting. Trump has previously called Starmer "no Winston Churchill," branded NATO allies "cowards" for failing to help reopen the Strait, and told the alliance it was "making a very foolish mistake."

Trump also trained his fire on France, accusing Paris of refusing to allow military supply flights headed for Israel to cross French airspace. "France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the 'Butcher of Iran,' who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!" he wrote.

The outburst comes at a particularly difficult moment for the UK economy. The International Monetary Fund has warned that Britain is "especially exposed" to the shock from the Middle East conflict due to its heavy reliance on gas-fired power. Reports suggest the UK is set to receive its last known jet fuel shipment from the region this week. UK drivers have already paid £544 million in extra fuel costs since the bombing campaign began, with diesel up 40p a litre and petrol up 20p. Average household energy bills are forecast to rise by nearly £300 from July, and grocery prices are expected to follow as the war pushes up the cost of synthetic fertiliser.

Starmer is chairing a Cobra crisis committee meeting on Tuesday to assess the economic impact. 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 has said, if it's necessary to intervene, we will." The government has already announced a £53 million support package for households that use heating oil and are not covered by the broader energy price cap.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas normally flows, has been almost entirely blocked since the war began in late February. Iran has allowed some vessels through under what amounts to a tollbooth system, with ships reportedly paying up to $2 million per voyage. A fully laden Kuwaiti oil tanker was hit in the anchorage area of Dubai's port on Tuesday. US gas prices crossed an average of $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022.

Adding to the confusion over US strategy, Trump has reportedly told aides he might be willing to end the war even if the Strait remains largely closed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to contradict this, telling Al Jazeera the waterway would be kept open "one way or another" and that US objectives could be achieved "in weeks, not months." Iran's foreign ministry again denied that any direct negotiations were underway, while acknowledging that intermediaries had delivered proposals from Washington.