Trump claims US could seize oil from Strait of Hormuz

Former US President Donald Trump stated that the United States could open the Strait of Hormuz and seize oil from it to generate wealth for America. He made the comment in a Truth Social post on Friday, April 3, 2026, calling it an "oil stream for the world."

This follows Trump's primetime address on Wednesday where he highlighted US-Venezuela cooperation on oil production, describing the two nations as "joint venture partners" in developing Venezuela's reserves—the world's second-largest after the US.

For Nigeria, the world's largest oil importer despite being an OPEC producer, any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for 20% of global oil supply—could spike global crude prices. Higher oil prices typically increase fuel costs and transportation expenses, squeezing household budgets and business operations across Nigeria.

Trump has given conflicting statements recently about whether reopening the Strait is tied to ending the US-Iran conflict, shifting responsibility away from the US. His latest remarks suggest a more unilateral, resource-acquisition approach, which could escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Nigerian consumers and businesses should monitor official channels for any developments, as prolonged Strait closures or military action could directly impact domestic fuel prices within weeks due to Nigeria's reliance on imported petroleum products and global market linkages.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/03/war-us-could-open-strait-of-hormuz-seize-oil-trump/