The Middle East crisis intensified on Tuesday after a new Trump Truth Social post targeted the United Kingdom over fuel supplies and military burden-sharing, while US defence secretary Pete Hegseth opened a Pentagon briefing by stating that American forces remain committed to the campaign against Iran, The WP Times reports.
In a message published on Truth Social on 31 March 2026, US president Donald Trump said countries such as the UK should build up the courage to go to the Strait of Hormuz and “just take” fuel (Trump, Truth Social, 31 March 2026). He added: “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us” (Trump, Truth Social, 31 March 2026). In the same post, he said countries struggling with supply shortages could instead “buy from the U.S., we have plenty” (Trump, Truth Social, 31 March 2026). He concluded: “Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!” (Trump, Truth Social, 31 March 2026). The statement came as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continued to affect global energy flows. The waterway, which normally carries around one fifth of the world’s oil supply, has been partially blocked since the start of the war on 28 February 2026. According to Reuters, oil prices rose sharply again on 31 March, with Brent crude exceeding 110 dollars per barrel (Reuters, 31 March 2026).
Trump’s comments were directed at countries that declined to participate in the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel … I have a suggestion for you,” he wrote, referring specifically to allies affected by supply disruptions (Trump, Truth Social, 31 March 2026). The remarks marked a continuation of his criticism of European governments, including the UK and France, over their position on the war.
The political impact was immediate in London. The UK government has sought to avoid direct involvement in the wider conflict while maintaining a limited operational role. According to live reporting on 31 March 2026, Britain has authorised the use of its military bases for strikes on Iranian missile systems targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz (The Guardian, 31 March 2026). Prime minister Keir Starmer has previously stated that the UK would not be “drawn into the wider war” and rejected the concept of “regime change from the skies” (Starmer, statement, March 2026).
At the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth began a scheduled briefing on 31 March 2026 by describing the current state of US forces in the region. “These troops want to finish this fight for their kids and their grandkids,” he said (Hegseth, Pentagon briefing, 31 March 2026). He added: “This is about history, this is about legacy” (Hegseth, Pentagon briefing, 31 March 2026). Hegseth also contrasted the current administration with previous ones, stating that earlier presidents were “all talk”, while Trump was “all action” (Hegseth, Pentagon briefing, 31 March 2026).
The Pentagon briefing came amid continued uncertainty over US strategic objectives. According to reporting on 31 March 2026, Trump has indicated he would be willing to end the war even if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened (Wall Street Journal, 31 March 2026). This position highlights a divergence between military operations and economic stabilisation priorities.
Developments in the Gulf region underscored the ongoing risks to shipping and infrastructure. A Kuwaiti oil tanker, Al-Salmi, was struck near Dubai during an Iranian attack, causing damage and fire onboard but no confirmed oil spill (Reuters, 31 March 2026). Authorities in Dubai also reported that debris from intercepted missiles caused property damage and minor injuries in residential areas (Dubai Media Office, 31 March 2026).
Iran has also moved to increase control over maritime transit. On 30 March 2026, an Iranian parliamentary committee approved a proposal to impose tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz (Fars News Agency, 30 March 2026). According to statements reported on 31 March, ships from certain countries, including Malaysia, may be exempt, while others could face restrictions depending on their political alignment (Reuters, 31 March 2026).
Elsewhere in the region, military operations continued. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least five people on 31 March 2026, according to local health officials (Reuters, 31 March 2026). Gaza’s health ministry reported that at least 72,285 people have been killed and 172,028 injured since 7 October 2023 (Gaza Health Ministry, 31 March 2026). In southern Lebanon, the Israeli military confirmed that four soldiers were killed during operations (IDF, 31 March 2026).
Additional reports indicated that Israel is prepared to continue its campaign against Iran for “weeks to come” (Israeli military spokesperson, 31 March 2026). Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation was “beyond the halfway point” in terms of missions, without specifying a timeline (Netanyahu, 31 March 2026).
At the same time, Iran continues to restrict information flows domestically. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that a nationwide internet disruption has now entered its 32nd day, limiting communication both internationally and within the country (NetBlocks, 31 March 2026).The combination of military escalation, economic disruption and political tension between allies continues to shape the trajectory of the conflict as it enters its second month.
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Sources: Reuters, The Guardian, Sky News, Wall Street Journal, AP News, Bloomberg, Fars News Agency, NetBlocks
