Australian Leaders Respond After Trump Tells Allies to Secure Middle East Oil Supplies

‘We take everything that our allies say very seriously, but we obviously weren’t consulted about the war in the Middle East,’ said the transport minister.

A resident weeps while talking on the phone near a residential building that was hit in an airstrike in Tehran, Iran, on March 30, 2026. Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Australian leaders have responded after U.S. President Donald Trump told allies to “go get your own oil” in response to a perceived lack of support on securing passage through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

About 20 percent of global oil supply traverses the narrow Strait, which is currently being threatened by the Iranian regime in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes of key military and nuclear targets.

This in turn, has brought global supply to a standstill, causing a spike in petrol prices worldwide.

In a statement posted to Truth Social, President Trump issued a strong rebuke to American allies, who he has pushed to commit more military resources towards securing the Strait.

“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just take it,” he wrote.

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us.

“Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil.”

Trump’s comments come as Australia grapples with fuel shortages with 650 service stations nationally running out of either unleaded or diesel from about 7,700 stations.

Transport Minister Catherine King said her government would not be running a commentary on every remark from Trump.

“Of course we take everything that our allies say very seriously, but we obviously weren’t consulted about the war in the Middle East, but we are bearing the consequences of what has occurred and the whole world is,” she told ABC Radio National.

“And so of course what we are doing ... is to try and shield Australians from the worst of it the best we can.

“This war, the sooner it ends the better it is for our economy and the world’s economy as well.”

King said Australia would continue diplomatic efforts with the United States, and maintained the Labor government had not received any formal request for support from America.

Speaking on the Sunrise program, shadow foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said Trump’s comment was targeting NATO allies, but said alliances should not be taken for granted.

“The message for Australia is very, very clear,” she said.

“We must be stronger, more focused and more prepared when it comes to our own fuel security here at home, given in particular our reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.”

“The president has obviously singled out Australians twice and there does appear to be a little bit of confusion in relation to what our response has been in relation to any United States requests.”

She called for more clarity from the Labor government.