Rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz have resulted in growing comparisons to the “Tanker War” of the 1980s when the US navy escorted oil tankers. But as conjecture that the US might be forced to provide additional security to tankers traversing the Strait of Hormuz grew, US President Donald Trump moved this week to pour cold water on such ideas.

Mr Trump took to Twitter to say “China gets 91% of its Oil from the Straight [sic], Japan 62%, & many other countries likewise. So why are we protecting the shipping lanes for other countries (many years) for zero compensation.” He added “We don’t even need to be there in that the US has just become (by far) the largest producer of Energy anywhere in the world!” (CONTINUED - 1001 WORDS)