politics
March 16, 2026
Trump draws backlash for comment on Iran war: ‘Maybe we shouldn’t even be there’
President made contradictory comment to reporters on Air Force One after pleading with allies to help US secure strait of Hormuz
TL;DR
- Donald Trump suggested US efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz might be unnecessary as the US has ample oil.
- This statement followed a plea for European and NATO allies to help secure the strait.
- Critics accused Trump of starting an unnecessary war and then asking others to help end it.
- The families of US service members killed in the conflict expressed that the war could have been prevented.
- Several countries, including Australia, France, and Japan, have stated they have no plans to send warships.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is working on a plan to reopen the strait but not be drawn into a wider war.
- Trump warned NATO of a "very bad" future if it did not assist the US in protecting the strait.
- He also indicated a possible delay in his meeting with China's president, Xi Jinping.
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