US President Donald Trump recently vented his frustrations toward allies who have been hesitant to bolster American military efforts, urging them to “go get your own oil.” His comments come amid tensions with Iran, particularly following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven up global petrol prices.
Trump’s remarks, delivered via social media, pointedly criticized allies such as the United Kingdom and France for their reluctance to engage in a conflict that they neither initiated nor had a decisive stake in. “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself,” Trump declared, “the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
The President specifically called out France for its refusal to permit US aircraft to fly over its territory while transporting military supplies to Israel. Despite this, France has allowed the US Air Force to utilize the Istres base in southern France, under the condition that aircraft landing there do not partake in combat missions.
Spain has also positioned itself as a vocal critic of the war in Europe. On Monday, it announced the closure of its airspace to US aircraft involved in the conflict, further illustrating the growing divide between the US and its European allies over military strategies and commitments.
France has allowed the US Air Force to use the Istres base in southern France because it had guarantees that planes landing there would not be involved in carrying out strikes.
Similarly, Spain, which has emerged as Europe’s loudest critic of the war, said on Monday that it had closed its airspace for US planes involved in the conflict.
Italy recently refused to allow US military assets to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for an operation linked to the offensive, an official with knowledge of the matter said, confirming a local press report. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.
Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto wrote on X that Italy is still allowing the US to use its bases, adding that there has been no cooling of relations between the two countries.
