Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a provocative statement urging non-participating nations to seize oil resources from the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Through his Truth Social platform, Trump declared that countries experiencing fuel shortages despite avoiding involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts should demonstrate “delayed courage” and independently claim the waterway’s resources.
“The U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” Trump stated, emphasizing that Iran had been “essentially decimated” and that the “hard part is done.”
The controversial remarks were reinforced by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Tuesday press briefing. Hegseth characterized the Strait of Hormuz as an international waterway that the United States utilizes “dramatically less than most,” suggesting that maintaining its accessibility represents a shared global responsibility rather than solely an American concern.
Hegseth delivered a significant assessment of the ongoing military campaign, describing the coming days as “decisive” in the conflict with Iran. While refusing to disclose specific strategic details, he notably declined to rule out the potential deployment of American ground forces, stating that revealing operational limitations would undermine military effectiveness.
“You can’t fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do, or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground,” Hegseth explained.
Despite the continued military operations—now extending beyond one month—the Defense Secretary reported substantial progress in diplomatic negotiations to conclude the conflict. He characterized these talks as “very real, ongoing, active, and gaining strength.”
In a previously undisclosed visit, Hegseth traveled to CENTCOM headquarters on Saturday to meet with troops engaged in operations against Iran. While specific locations remained confidential for security reasons, Hegseth described the experience as witnessing “the best of America.”
General Dan Caine, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, provided operational updates alongside Hegseth, revealing that U.S. forces have struck over 11,000 targets to date. These operations have focused on degrading Iran’s ballistic missile and drone capabilities while disrupting the logistical networks supporting these programs.