Washington DC, March 20 -- US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that the United States does not "need" the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the US and Israel are aligned in seeking "victory" in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. President Trump said that countries like Korea, Japan, China, and others should get "involved a little bit on that one", because they need access to the maritime route even more.

Answering reporters' questions before en route to Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said, "We don't need it. Europe needs it. Korea, Japan, China, a lot of other people. So they'll have to get involved a little bit on that one," referring to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

On the broader conflict, ...