עברית
Trump to Europe: Buy American Oil—or Learn to Fight and Head to Hormuz
President Donald Trump blasts European countries for staying out of the war and slams France for blocking arms flights to Israel: 'The U.S. will remember this.'
Trump, archive (Photo: Liri Agami, Flash90)U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out today (Tuesday) at European countries that are pressing to end the war with Iran, which they say is due to the economic damage they are suffering from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said: "To all the countries that can't get jet fuel, like the U.K., which refused to intervene in Iran's attack, I have a suggestion for you: Buy it from the United States—we have plenty—or build a little courage, go to Hormuz, and just take it. You'll have to learn how to fight. The United States won't be there to help you anymore, just as you weren't there for us. Iran has been effectively devastated. The hard part is over. Go get the oil yourselves!".
It was reported overnight in The Wall Street Journal that the U.S. president told associates he is prepared to end the war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked. According to the report, Trump is willing to continue applying diplomatic pressure on Tehran to restore the free flow of commerce. If that fails, Washington would press its allies in Europe and the Persian Gulf to lead a renewed opening of the strait.
Alongside the verbal broadside against European countries, the American president responded to France's decision to refuse passage through its airspace for planes carrying military supplies destined for Israel. Trump said: "France prevented planes with supplies for Israel from flying over its territory. The United States will remember!!!".
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Italy refused the U.S. request to use a base in Sicily for American operations in the Middle East. The Italians declined to authorize U.S. military aircraft to land at Sigonella Air Base in Sicily.
The Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" reported that "several American bombers were supposed to land at a base in eastern Sicily before their flight to the Middle East, and Rome refused." The White House and the Italian government have not yet commented on the reports.
