Trump tells countries reliant on Strait of Hormuz oil to 'just take it, protect it' while shirking U.S. responsibility

In his prime-time address, Trump told allied nations that rely on Middle Eastern oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz to 'grab it and cherish it' and 'go to the strait and just take it, protect it.' He argued the U.S. doesn't need the strait because 'we have plenty' of oil. This contradicts the stated justification for the war--Trump had previously argued the strait's closure was a global crisis requiring U.S. military intervention. Now he was telling allies to handle it themselves while simultaneously threatening NATO withdrawal for their failure to help.

"They should build up some delayed courage. Go to the strait and just take it, protect it. We have plenty, we have so much."