Donald Trump urged Britain and Europe to "build up some delayed courage and go and take the Strait of Hormuz yourself" as he delivered an address to America on the war in Iran.
On Wednesday, rumours swirled that the President would use the speech to take aim at Nato after he branded the transatlantic alliance a "paper tiger".
He had indicated earlier on in the day he would be outlining his disgust with the bloc over what he considers a lack of involvement in the Middle Eastern conflict.
However, despite not mentioning Nato directly, Mr Trump told US allies to "protect" the Strait of Hormuz themselves.
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He declared: “To those countries that can’t get fuel, many of which refuse to get involved in the decapitation of Iran… build up some delayed courage - go to the Strait and just take it."
“The hard part is done, so it should be easy," he added.
The President also called on UK and Europe to buy American oil instead, insisting "we have plenty".
In another veiled swipe at Europe, Mr Trump voiced his gratitude to Israel and the Gulf states for their help during the conflict, saying: "They've been great, and we will not let them get hurt or fail in any way, shape or form."
Mr Trump told US allies to 'protect' the Strait of Hormuz themselves
|REUTERS
The President once again indicated that the US had nearly completed all of its military goals it had set out to accomplish - and said the war would be coming to an end soon.
He said: "Tonight, I'm pleased to say these core strategic objectives are nearing completion.
"We are going to finish the job, and we're going to finish it very fast. We're getting very close."
Mr Trump confirmed US forces would continue to launch strikes against Islamic Republic targets over the next two to three weeks.
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Mr Trump confirmed US forces would continue to launch strikes against Islamic Republic targets
| GETTYAllies are said to have been pushing the 47th President to ease concerns among the American public about the impact of the conflict on the cost-of-living as petrol prices soar.
Mr Trump briefly addressed these fears, saying: "Many Americans have been concerned to see the recent rise in gasoline prices here at home.
"This short-term increase has been entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers of neighboring countries that have nothing to do with the conflict."
The President insisted the conflict was "a true investment" in the futures for American children and generations to come.
The President insisted the conflict was 'a true investment' in the futures for American children
|REUTERS
“Tonight, every American can look forward to a day when we are finally free from the wickedness of Iranian aggression and the spectre of nuclear blackmail,” he said.
He promised once the war is brought to an end, the US "will be safer, stronger, more prosperous and greater than it has ever been before".
Although Mr Trump did not commit to a timeline to ceasing its military operations in the Middle East, he declared the Islamic Republic is "really no longer a threat".
He also used the address to pay tribute to the 13 American servicemen who have lost their lives during the conflict, saying: "We salute them and now we must honour them by completting the mission."
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