Trump: Hormuz security 'not for us' — other nations should 'fend for themselves' after US leaves

US President Trump made a significant strategic statement on March 31 (D32), telling reporters: 'If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas, they'll go up through the strait, the Hormuz Strait, they'll go right up there, and they'll be able to fend for themselves.' PBS NewsHour quoted Trump as declaring that securing the Strait of Hormuz is 'not for us.' CBS News confirmed the statement, noting Trump said after the war with Iran ends, other countries will 'be able to fend for themselves' if they need to import oil or natural gas via Hormuz. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed this framing, suggesting the US had 'created the conditions necessary for other countries to secure their own shipping.' Trump also told NATO allies who refused to join Operation Epic Fury to 'go get your own oil.' The statement represents a significant strategic pivot — or contradiction — in US Hormuz policy. The same day (April 1/D33), Trump posted on Truth Social: 'We will consider [ceasefire] when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion.' BBC and NYT both noted the 'muddled signals' this created. The Hormuz-is-not-for-us framing suggests Trump may exit the war without requiring Hormuz to be formally reopened by Iran — effectively lowering the US withdrawal threshold significantly.