Says US won’t help anymore
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that countries like the United Kingdom, which refused to join his war on Iran and are now finding it hard to get jet fuel because of the disruption in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, should “build up some delayed courage, go to the strait and just TAKE IT.”
In a social media post on his Truth Social, Trump said, “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the strait, and just TAKE IT.”
He said these countries would have to start learning how to fight for themselves as the US will not be there to help them anymore.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself; the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” the US President said.
He claimed that Iran has essentially been decimated and the hard part is done. “Go get your own oil!” he concluded.
France ‘VERY UNHELPFUL’ in Iran war, US will ‘REMEMBER’: Trump
In a separate post, Trump also slammed France for not allowing planes headed to Israel carrying military supplies to use French airspace.
He said that Paris has been “VERY UNHELPFUL” in the Iran war and that the USA will “REMEMBER.”
“The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the “Butcher of Iran,” who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, Italy has denied permission for US military aircraft to land at the Sigonella air base in Sicily before flying to the Middle East, a source close to the matter said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Daily Corriere della Sera reported “some US bombers” had been due to land at the base in eastern Sicily before heading to the Middle East. It did not say when they had been due to land.
The source, who was not authorized to speak to media and declined to be identified, also did not specify how many aircraft were involved or when Rome declined to give permission.
Corriere della Sera added that permission was not granted as the US had not sought authorization and Italy’s military leadership was not consulted, as required under treaties governing the use of US military installations in the country.
The Italian defense ministry had no immediate comment.
Center-left opposition parties have urged the government to block the US use of bases in Italy to avoid involvement in the conflict.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has said it would seek parliamentary authorization should any such requests be made.