Former President Donald Trump said the United States “doesn’t need any help” when asked about securing the Strait of Hormuz, pushing responsibility onto other nations even as global oil prices spiked amid tensions with Iran. Trump urged NATO allies and China to take steps to keep the vital shipping lane open, saying they should ensure freedom of navigation without relying solely on U.S. military intervention.
Speaking in public remarks, Trump framed the issue as one that should involve broader international cooperation, while signaling reluctance to commit additional American force. He has also suggested the U.S. might withdraw from certain roles in the region, comments that have drawn concern from critics who warn about risks of escalation and the potential for disrupted oil supplies.
The flare-up has prompted high-level departures inside the U.S. government: officials, including the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned citing disagreements over policy and the direction of the conflict with Iran. Those resignations underscore tensions within the administration and among national security officials about how to manage the crisis.
Trump’s comments came amid other headlines involving his foreign policy and public posture — he has publicly accused the BBC of using “AI-generated” clips of him and announced a delay of a planned trip to China — but his stance on Hormuz marks a notable push to shift burden-sharing onto allies and major powers as energy markets and geopolitical stakes rise.