German Media: Trump Tells Europe "Go Get Your Oil Raw Materials Yourself"
U.S. President Trump stated that whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens is unrelated to the United States, saying, "We have no reason to get involved." Since the outbreak of war with Iran, natural gas prices in Europe have risen by 70%, and crude oil prices have surged nearly 30%.
The U.S., in alliance with Israel, initiated the war against Iran, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, President Trump refuses to take responsibility or bear blame. On Tuesday, March 31, he emphasized at the White House that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has nothing to do with the United States. After the U.S. halts its military operations, other countries must assume the responsibility of escorting oil tankers through the strait. "France or other nations can handle this themselves," Trump said. "We have no reason to intervene."
On the same day, Trump continued on his social media platform Truth Social, telling countries not involved in the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran: either buy American oil, or go directly to the Strait of Hormuz and "take it yourself." "You need to learn how to fight for yourselves—America won’t come rushing to help you there, just as you didn’t help us. Iran has been largely destroyed; the hardest part is already done. Go get your own crude oil!"
Previously, Trump had requested NATO allies to provide military escort to ensure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz—but was rejected.
Since the U.S. and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28, European natural gas prices have risen over 70%, while crude oil prices have increased nearly 30%. Prices are soaring, but the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has not severed the EU’s crude oil and natural gas supplies, as Europe primarily sources these energy resources from other regions. In the short term, Brussels is particularly concerned about potential disruptions to refined petroleum products such as kerosene and diesel. Approximately 15% of the EU’s kerosene comes from the Middle East.
E.U. Takes Measures to Respond to Energy Crisis
Under these circumstances, the European Union is considering a series of emergency response measures. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen stated that these plans include capping grid fees and limiting electricity taxes—similar to measures implemented in the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU introduced a range of measures, including setting price caps on natural gas and imposing windfall profit taxes on energy companies.
Jørgensen stressed that the current impact on energy supply is expected to persist. He explained that even if peace is quickly achieved, the war has already produced consequences, with parts of the Middle East's energy infrastructure having been destroyed by conflict.
Combat in the Strait of Hormuz Is Highly Complex and Dangerous
Iran continues to launch attacks on neighboring Gulf states. In Kuwait, fuel storage tanks at the international airport were hit by drones. Near Qatar’s coast, an oil tanker came under artillery fire. The Persian Gulf hosts numerous critical ports and transshipment terminals and serves as a vital hub for global oil and gas trade.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the UAE is seeking to unite with the United States and other allied powers to forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz through military action. A senior UAE diplomat urgently called on Washington and major military powers in Europe and Asia to participate in such an operation. The UAE also hopes the UN Security Council will pass a resolution authorizing this effort.
However, conducting military operations in the Strait of Hormuz is considered extremely complex and highly risky. Iran can attack any target within the strait from land-based positions. In such a narrow waterway, naval vessels have almost no time to defend themselves.
Source: DW
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861288655395843/
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