Trump Attacks European Allies Over Iran War and Fuel Shortages

President Donald Trump publicly turned on European allies on Tuesday, telling nations struggling with fuel shortages caused by the month-long war against Iran to "go get your own oil" from the Strait of Hormuz, as the conflict entered a new phase of diplomatic fracture and economic strain. Writing on Truth Social, Trump singled out the United Kingdom, telling countries "which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran" to "build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT." He added that "the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us." The remarks came as Iran's Revolutionary Guards pledged to target 18 US companies in the Middle East starting Wednesday, including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla, and Boeing. Iran also set ablaze the Al-Salmi, a fully loaded Kuwaiti crude carrier off the coast of Dubai, in one of the most significant attacks on merchant shipping since the war began. The tanker can carry around 2,000,000 barrels of oil worth more than $200,000,000 at current prices, according to the source articles.

France blocks weapons flights, Italy denies US bombers landing rights European resistance to the US-Israeli military campaign hardened on Tuesday, with France blocking Israeli planes carrying weapons from flying through its airspace and Italy denying last-minute permission for US bombers to land at a base in Sicily. Spain had already closed its airspace and bases to US military operations, and on Tuesday Madrid's defence minister said the country would not "accept lectures from anyone." The United Kingdom, while allowing the US to use its bases, has publicly called the war illegal and received pointed criticism from Trump regardless. French President Emmanuel Macron's office said Paris was "surprised" by Trump's posts, stating it "has not changed its position since day one" of the war. Poland said it had no plans to relocate its Patriot batteries following reports that Washington had suggested sending one of the systems to the Middle East. The growing rift prompted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to say the United States may have to reassess its relationship with NATO after the war concludes, according to Bloomberg.

„There are countries around the world who ought be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well. It's not just the United States Navy.” — Pete Hegseth via BBC

WTI crude at $104, US gasoline crosses $4 a gallon threshold The economic fallout from the war continued to intensify, with US benchmark WTI crude trading at about $104 a barrel on Tuesday. US gasoline crossed an average of $4 a gallon for the first time since August 2022, a development that poses a direct political threat to Trump and the Republican Party ahead of November midterm elections. Euro-zone inflation jumped in March by the most since 2022, driven by soaring energy prices, according to Bloomberg. During a video call with senior G7 officials, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde questioned US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's assertion that the economic pain from the war would be short-lived. Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned on Tuesday that the oil supply shock caused by the US-Israeli attack on Iran was "probably the worst ever." About 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the BBC.

The US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026, in an operation designated Epic Fury, which killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed Supreme Leader on March 9, 2026. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since the strikes began, disrupting roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The conflict has exposed deep divisions within NATO, with European governments broadly refusing to participate and several actively blocking US and Israeli military logistics through their territory.

Trump hints at ending war without reopening the strait Despite the escalating rhetoric, signals emerged that Trump may be prepared to wind down the military campaign without achieving one of its stated objectives. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told aides he was willing to end the US military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, with the administration instead considering continued diplomatic pressure on Tehran. Trump himself said on Tuesday the war "won't last much longer," adding that the Strait would "automatically open" when the US leaves, and told CBS News that "there's no real threat" in the waterway. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said talks to end the war were "gaining strength" and that the US military would maintain pressure to compel Tehran to make a deal, while also declaring that "a regime change has occurred" in Iran without specifying who Washington was negotiating with. Senior Iranian officials, however, described US peace proposals as "unrealistic, illogical and excessive," according to The Independent. China and Pakistan issued a five-point initiative calling for an immediate ceasefire. Trump's 15-point peace plan had listed the reopening of the Strait as a precondition for ending the war, making any climb-down on that demand a significant shift in the US position.