US President Trump criticizes European allies over Iran war and oil supply disruptions
Consensus Summary
US President Donald Trump has launched a sharp critique of European allies, particularly France and the UK, for refusing to support his military campaign against Iran. In social media posts, Trump urged countries like the UK to 'go get your own oil' from the Strait of Hormuz by force, escalating tensions as oil prices surged due to Iran’s blockade of the critical shipping lane. Both the Guardian and ABC report that France blocked Israeli military planes from flying through its airspace, while Italy denied US bombers permission to land in Sicily, highlighting growing friction between Washington and its European partners. The conflict has caused severe economic disruptions, with US gas prices hitting $4 a gallon for the first time in four years, and over 3,000 deaths reported. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested Iran’s military morale was declining due to US strikes, though legal experts warn Trump’s threats to target Iran’s power stations and water plants could constitute war crimes. Meanwhile, Spain’s defense minister criticized the US and Israel for acting unilaterally, and Israel announced plans to permanently occupy parts of Lebanon, deepening regional instability. While both sources agree on key events like France’s blockade and Italy’s denial of US military access, details on motivations and specific quotes vary, and ABC omits some of the Guardian’s more provocative claims about Trump’s rhetoric and papal statements.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Donald Trump on Truth Social (Guardian) and social media (ABC) told European countries to 'go get your own oil' by force from the Strait of Hormuz, including the UK and France
- France blocked Israeli planes carrying weapons from flying through its airspace (Guardian and ABC)
- Italy denied last-minute permission for US bombers to land in Sicily (Guardian) and blocked US warplanes from landing at Sigonella base (ABC)
- Spain has denied the US use of its bases and airspace for the Iran war (Guardian) and its defense minister said Spain would not 'accept lectures from anyone' (Guardian)
- The Strait of Hormuz oil supply shock caused by the US-Israeli attack on Iran is described as 'probably the worst ever' by Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin (Guardian) and has led to US gas prices passing $4 a gallon for the first time in four years (Guardian and ABC)
- Iran attacked a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Gulf (Guardian)
- US strikes hit Isfahan, home to one of Iran’s main nuclear sites, causing a large fireball (Guardian)
- The conflict has killed over 3,000 people (Guardian)
- Donald Trump warned that if a ceasefire was not reached 'shortly,' the US would broaden its offensive, including by 'obliterating' Iran’s power stations and fresh water plants (Guardian)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- UK allowed the US to use its bases for a war its government says is illegal, but Trump publicly admonished the UK (Guardian)
- Pope Leo XIV (US-born pontiff) expressed hope the conflict would end by the weekend and called on leaders to reduce violence, referencing Trump’s desire to end the war (Guardian)
- Spain’s defense minister Margarita Robles said, 'Two countries went to war and expected us to join them,' and Spain feels no obligation to join an illegal war with undefined objectives (Guardian)
- Israel’s defense minister said Israel plans to permanently occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River and block Lebanese people from returning to their homes, demolishing Arab villages near the frontier (Guardian)
- Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran has the 'necessary will' to end the war if essential conditions are met, including guarantees the conflict would not be repeated (Guardian)
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said plans to control the Strait of Hormuz by force are 'high risk and unrealistic' (Guardian)
- France’s office said it was 'surprised' by Trump’s criticism and stated Paris 'has not changed its position since day one' of the war (Guardian)
- Trump suggested European countries should 'build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT' (Guardian)
- Trump’s comments sent oil prices even higher (Guardian)
- Trump warned that if a ceasefire was not reached, the US would 'obliterate' Iran’s power stations and fresh water plants, which legal scholars say would likely be war crimes (Guardian)
- Trump hosted King Charles and Queen Camilla for a state visit in Washington DC on April 27-30 (Guardian)
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s military morale had been damaged by US strikes, leading to 'widespread desertions' and 'key personnel shortages' (ABC)
- Hegseth said the number of missiles and drones fired by Iran in the past 24 hours was the lowest since the war started (ABC)
- Hegseth said the war’s coming days would be 'decisive' and Iran should 'cut a deal' with the US (ABC)
- Hegseth said the US has done the 'lion’s share' of preparation to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open (ABC)
- Australia was mentioned as another ally refusing to provide more military support for the US-Israel operations in Iran (ABC)
- Trump said, 'The US won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us' (ABC)
- US intelligence showed Iran’s military morale had been damaged by US strikes (ABC)
- Hegseth said, 'If Iran is wise, it will cut a deal,' referencing a 'regime change' (ABC)
- The US is less dependent on oil imports from the Middle East than Asia, where some countries are implementing emergency measures to reduce demand for fuel (ABC)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reports Spain’s defense minister said Spain feels no obligation to join an illegal war with undefined objectives, while ABC does not mention this specific quote or context from Spain’s defense minister
- The Guardian states Trump suggested European countries should 'go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,' while ABC reports Trump said 'go get your own oil' without the explicit 'take it' phrasing
- The Guardian mentions Pope Leo XIV (likely a typo for Pope Francis or another pope) expressing hope for an end to the war, while ABC does not mention any papal statements
- The Guardian reports that Italy’s denial of US bombers was due to a procedural issue requiring parliamentary approval, while ABC does not specify the reason for the denial
- The Guardian states Trump warned of 'obliterating' Iran’s power stations and fresh water plants, which legal scholars say would likely be war crimes, while ABC does not mention the legal implications of these threats
Source Articles
‘Get your own oil’: Trump launches tirade against Europe for not joining Iran war
Many countries in Europe have called the conflict illegal, with some blocking Israeli and US planes from moving weapons through their airspace Donald Trump has launched a tirade against European count...
'Go get your own oil': Trump slams allies over lack of Hormuz help
The US president again attacks America's allies over their reluctance to get involved in the Iran war, warning them the "US won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us"....