U.S. President Donald Trump rejected the possibility of declaring a cessation of hostilities in Iran, while asserting that the Strait of Hormuz would, in his view, “open itself” despite allies’ reluctance to take part in efforts to unblock it.
“I do not want a ceasefire. You understand, you do not declare a ceasefire when you are literally destroying the other side,” Trump said on Friday at the White House. He added: “We are not going to do that.”
Trump again criticized military allies, including NATO countries, as well as China, for their refusal to assist in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route through which roughly a fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies pass.
He said that “NATO could help us, but so far they have not had the courage to do so.” He also noted that other countries are capable of providing support, but the United States is not turning to them. “At a certain point, it will open itself,” the president added, referring to the strait.