Trump Sparks Controversy Over Iran War Comments: 'Maybe We Shouldn't Even Be There'

President Trump drew a backlash on Sunday for suggesting US efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz were unnecessary – and that "maybe we shouldn't even be there at all" because his country has plenty of oil of its own.

The president made the contradictory comment to reporters on Air Force One after pleading with European and NATO allies to enter the war in Iran to help the US secure the strait amid the largest oil supply disruption in history.

Trump's remarks came just days after he urged global partners to join the US in protecting the vital shipping chokepoint, which has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. The president's shift in tone drew swift criticism from lawmakers and foreign policy experts, who accused him of sending mixed signals and undermining American leadership.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut called Trump's comments "bizarre" and said they would "embolden Iran." Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a key Trump ally, said the president's words were "unconvincing" and could "embolden our enemies."

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments, with an estimated 21 million barrels per day flowing through the narrow waterway in 2018. Tensions in the region have soared in recent months, with Iran and the US engaged in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship that has included the downing of US drones, attacks on oil tankers, and threats of military action.

Trump's contradictory stance on the US role in the Strait of Hormuz reflects the administration's broader struggle to articulate a clear and consistent foreign policy in the Middle East. While the president has repeatedly threatened Iran with severe consequences, he has also expressed a desire to avoid open conflict and has appeared reluctant to commit American troops to another costly military intervention in the region.

Critics argue that Trump's mixed messages and apparent ambivalence about the US presence in the region could embolden Iran and undermine American credibility on the global stage. They warn that a miscalculation or escalation in the Strait of Hormuz could have devastating consequences, not just for the global economy but for regional stability and US national security.

As the situation in the Gulf continues to simmer, the president's words and actions will be closely watched by both allies and adversaries alike, with high stakes for the future of US foreign policy in the Middle East.