President Trump said Wednesday the U.S. might finish off the Iranian regime and let countries that rely on the Strait of Hormuz as an oil-shipping channel deal with its security.
Mr. Trump mused about the possibility while he urged other nations to help clear Iran’s blockade of the waterway, which carries 20% of the world’s oil supply.
“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 ‘Straight?’ That would get some of our non-responsive ‘Allies’ in gear, and fast!!!” he posted on Truth Social.
Mr. Trump decided to join forces with Israel and launch the operation against Iran on Feb. 28 because he wanted to dismantle Iran’s missile program, stop it from getting a nuclear weapon and end Tehran’s support for terror proxies in the Middle East.
Iran retaliated by striking oil-rich Gulf countries and closing down the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices have risen to around $100 per barrel, pushing up gas prices for American drivers.
Mr. Trump’s post on Wednesday adds to grievances he aired earlier in the week about allies who tacitly support U.S. efforts to destroy the Iranian regime but do not want to get involved in clearing the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. is an oil exporter that does not rely heavily on the strait for its energy supplies, compared to Asian nations and other parts of the world.
Mr. Trump on Tuesday toggled between chastising nations that refused to help and saying the U.S. no longer needed anyone’s assistance.
“I just think it’s not good for a partnership when they say, ‘What you’re doing is a great thing, but we’re not going to help,’” the president said.
Mr. Trump on Wednesday said he is doing the rest of the world a favor.
“Remember, for all of those absolute ‘fools’ out there, Iran is considered, by everyone, to be the NUMBER ONE STATE SPONSOR OF TERROR,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media. “We are rapidly putting them out of business!”
