In a Truth Social post today, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric on the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, suggesting the possibility of decisively dismantling Iran’s remaining military capabilities and shifting responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz to the nations that rely on it for oil shipments.
“I wonder what would happen if we ‘finished off’ what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so called ‘Strait?’ That would get some of our non-responsive ‘Allies’ in gear, and fast!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote in the post.
The post comes amid reports that key U.S. allies, particularly in NATO, have rebuffed Trump’s repeated calls for military participation to reopen the vital waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil typically flows, has faced severe disruptions since Iran’s retaliatory actions in response to U.S. and Israeli military operations that began in late February 2026.
Over the past several days, Trump has publicly urged NATO members and other nations dependent on the Strait for oil supply, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and even China, to contribute naval assets or escorts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. He described the mission as limited in scope but warned that failure to assist could jeopardise the future of NATO, calling the alliance a “one-way street” where the U.S. provides protection without reciprocal support.
European governments, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, have expressed reservations, with officials emphasising that the conflict is “not our war” and declining to commit warships. Reports indicate that most NATO allies informed the U.S. they would not participate in operations against what Trump has termed Iran’s “terrorist regime.” Trump responded by declaring that the U.S. “no longer needs, or desires” such assistance.
The latest Truth Social message marks a sharper tone, floating the idea of a unilateral escalation to eliminate Iran’s residual threats while offloading the burden of securing the strait to user nations heavily dependent on Gulf oil exports.
Notably, U.S. itself imports minimal oil through the strait, a point Trump highlighted to underscore the imbalance in allied responsibilities.
The comments arrive as global oil prices remain elevated due to the blockade and attacks on shipping, with ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and leadership. Iran has ramped up asymmetric responses, including drone and missile strikes on regional targets, complicating efforts to restore stable transit.
