US can secure Hormuz alone; we're most powerful military in the world: Trump
Washington, June 5
US President Donald Trump has said the United States does not require military assistance from European allies to safeguard navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while stressing that the strategic waterway would reopen and remain secure.
The comments came as Trump on Thursday discussed Iran, maritime security and global energy supplies during an extended question-and-answer session at the White House.
Asked whether he still wanted European allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, Trump responded bluntly.
"We don't need their help," he said. "We're the most powerful military in the world."
The President said Washington had offered allies an opportunity to participate but claimed they declined.
"We gave them a chance to help," Trump said. "We went to the NATO countries. We went to others, too."
"I said, hey, if you'd like to help, it would be wonderful, and they all turned us down," he added.
Trump argued that the decision could ultimately prove costly for countries that depend heavily on Gulf energy supplies.
"It's going to be an expensive proposition for them because they shouldn't have done that," he said.
While insisting that the United States has sufficient domestic energy resources, Trump said many other countries remain dependent on uninterrupted shipping through the Gulf.
"We have much more than we need in terms of oil and energy generally," he said. "But European countries and other countries, they need it tremendous."
Trump also linked the future of the Strait of Hormuz to ongoing negotiations with Iran.
"The main parts of the deal are they can't have a nuclear weapon," he said. "The strait will open immediately."
Later, he said US forces had already taken steps to improve maritime security in the region.
"We've largely swept for mines," Trump said. "We have the most sophisticated minesweepers."
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. A significant portion of globally traded crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the narrow waterway each day.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, it's good to see the US taking charge. But Europe shouldn't freeload on security. India should also step up—we're a major energy consumer near the Strait. Why not offer to help?
Typical Trump bluster. Even the most powerful military can't control everything alone. The Strait of Hormuz is a shared concern. Why alienate allies? This is just playing to his base.
The irony is, Trump says Europe will pay for not helping, but his go-it-alone attitude might cost the US too. As an Indian, I think we should diversify our energy imports—less dependency on any one route.
US minesweepers are indeed top-notch. But is unilateral action sustainable? This reminds me of the Gulf War. India should quietly build ties with Iran and other regional players—we can't rely on one power.
Bhai, it's easy for Trump to say we don't need them when US has shale oil. For us, it's a nightmare if Hormuz gets blocked. We should have learned from 1973 oil crisis. Time to think strategically!
I appreciate Trump's directness, but this is a dangerous game. The Strait is a
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