What did Donald Trump say countries should do after the Iran war ends?

Trump said countries that had been no help should reimburse the United States when the war is over. He made the remark in a Truth Social post and said the U.S. has been doing more for others than for itself for generations.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz important in Trump's latest remarks?

The strait is a crucial route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities, and the U.S. is seeking international help to restore free and safe passage through it. Trump’s comments were tied to that effort as Iran has effectively choked off the waterway during the war.

What did Trump say about South Korea in April in connection with the Hormuz dispute?

Trump said South Korea was not helpful to the United States and argued that American troops were in harm’s way there, right next to North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. He made the comment while pressing countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump says 'no help' countries should reimburse US after Iran war ends

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Summary

Donald Trump said in Washington that countries that were no help should reimburse the United States after the Iran war ends. He made the remark in a social media post while the U.S. sought cooperation to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and safe. He did not name specific countries, but the remarks come as Seoul weighs whether to commit military assets to secure the waterway. In April, Trump separately singled out South Korea as not helpful and said U.S. troops are stationed there in harm’s way near North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.

Key Facts

Trump posted the remarks on Truth Social on Monday and said the countries of the world that were no help should reimburse the United States when the conflict ends.
The Strait of Hormuz is described as a crucial shipping route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities.
Trump did not mention any country by name in the post.
In April, Trump singled out South Korea as not helpful and said the U.S. had stationed troops there in harm’s way near North Korea's nuclear arsenal.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 16, 2026 1:19 am KST
Updated Sep 16, 2026 1:29 am KST

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to sign executive orders related to beef, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., Sept. 4. Reuters-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has said countries that have been "no help" should "reimburse" the United States when the Iran war ends, as the U.S. has sought international cooperation in restoring free and safe passage through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post on Monday, as Seoul has been deliberating on whether to commit its military assets to help secure the waterway, a crucial shipping route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities, which Iran has effectively choked off during the war.

"Oil is flowing through the Hormuz Strait. The Countries of the World, which have been no help to us whatsoever, should, and will, reimburse the United States of America when this SCAM Confligration is all over," he wrote on Truth Social, apparently misspelling "conflagration" as "confligration."

"We are doing it much more for others, than we are for ourselves, and we have been for Generations!" he added.

He did not mention any particular countries by name.

In April, Trump singled out South Korea, arguing that the Asian ally was "not helpful" to the U.S. despite Washington having stationed its troops "in harm's way" in the Asian country, which he stressed is located "right next to" North Korea's nuclear arsenal.

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