Trump outburst against Western allies shows president's isolation on Iran war

President Donald Trump appears to be showing signs of pressure and isolation, as he slammed Western allies for not providing military support for the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Trump on Sunday lashed out at long-standing allies, after countries such as the UK, France and Japan so far refused a US request to provide naval assistance for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, currently coming under attack by Iran.

This comes after repeated comments by Trump that the US and Israel can finish the job in Iran alone, and the duo do not need any military assistance from their allies, who have been lukewarm about the war.

On Sunday, Trump was visibly rattled by the refusal or delays by European and Asian countries to sign up to his hastily-drawn up Gulf naval force, as oil and gas prices skyrocket due to the war, causing anger in the US.

Speaking to journalists on Air Force One, Trump even said, "maybe we shouldn't even be there at all", regarding the US military presence in the critical Gulf waterway.

"Really, I'm demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory - because it is their territory," he said, referring to the reliance of global economies on Middle East oil and gas.

"They should come, and they should help us protect it. You could make the case that maybe we shouldn't even be there at all, because we don't need it. We have a lot of oil. We're the number one producer anywhere in the world times two."

The Iranian attacks on shipping and energy facilities have had a massive effect on markets, with oil and gas exports from the Gulf down by 60 percent since the start of the war.

This has seen the price of Brent crude rise to $103 while oil from Gulf states is trading even higher, with Omani crude selling for over $150 for the first time.

While some states have made agreements with Iran to allow their ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint unhindered, Trump appears adamant to neutralise the Iranian threat to shipping in the region via force.

The US has hit locations in Iran along the coastline in recent days, including the port city of Bandar Abbas, but the situation in the Gulf is far from resolved, with tankers continuing to be targeted in Iranian drone strikes.

Trump is particularly angered with the UK, where opposition to military intervention is particularly potent due to the country's role in the disastrous US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, saying he was "very surprised" by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's refusal to play a role in the war.

Trump said he told Starmer, "it would be really helpful if you'd send over a couple of ships, and if you have some minesweepers, which they do, be very helpful", which the prime minister evaded.

"And the prime minister... he says, well, I'd like to ask my team," Trump said.

"I said, you don't have to worry about a team. You don't have a team. You're the prime minister. You can make a decision... So it's very disappointing."

Last week, Trump again singled out the UK for not getting involved in the conflict until was practically over, despite the war entering its 18th day on Tuesday.

"The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East. That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer — But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he posted on Truth Social.

With the war now viewed by analysts as not going according to plan, despite the assassination of Iran's top leaders, Trump appears fixated on leaving the war with some tangible win. Tehran's continued attacks on Gulf states and defiant rhetoric mean that such a scenario is still a long way off.

In another sign of concern for the president, Trump said that a crunch meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, set to take place between 31 March and 2 April, would be delayed.

There had been suggestions that the delay was due to China's refusal to help the US in its bid to control the Gulf waterway.

"Why are we maintaining the Hormuz Strait when it’s really there for China and many other countries? Why aren't they doing it?" Trump had said on Sunday.

On Tuesday, China denied there was any connection between the two issues, while Trump later appeared to back down and said the delay was only so he could focus on the war with Iran.

"I'm looking forward to being with him [Xi]. We have a very good relationship," he said.

"There's no tricks to it either. It's very simple. We've got a war going on. I think it's important that I be here."