Trump suggests countries relying on Strait of Hormuz should secure the route after US 'finishes off' Iran

Donald Trump (File)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that if America and its allies "finished off" Iran in the ongoing war and let the countries operate the Strait of Hormuz, then others may just join the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

In a post on his social media handle Truth Social, Trump said: "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!!! President DJT."

Although Trump said "Straight", he was alluding to the Strait of Hormuz, the key oil chokepoint through which nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

The US President's latest remarks indicated that America may let countries that rely on the route (Europe, Asia, Gulf states) to take responsibility for securing the Strait and not America.

Trump has repeatedly lashed out at European nations who have rejected his demands to help with his war against Iran. The US President has been asking allies to send warships to the Strait to escort oil tankers at risk. However, most foreign leaders have resisted Trump's calls and indicated that they don't want to get involved in a war they did not start.

Meanwhile, the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran has threatened Gulf ports and disrupted global trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that any ship ​passing through the narrow Strait will be targeted.

In his first remarks as Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba ‌Khamenei said on Thursday Iran will ​avenge the blood of its martyrs and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.