Donald Trump on Monday rejected Iran’s demand for compensation over damages caused during the US-Israeli war on the country that assassinated their Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Tehran should instead be held responsible for the deaths and injuries caused by its attacks, the US President has said.
Iran links Hormuz reopening to compensation
Trump also demanded compensation for families of protesters who, he alleged, were killed by the Iranian government over the past five decades. Sporadic missile and drone attacks have affected commercial traffic and raised concerns in global markets. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the strait was open, while shipping activity remained severely disrupted.
The US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. He also said compensation should also cover people killed or wounded in attacks and conflicts involving Iran, including the 2000 USS Cole bombing and other incidents. He also claimed that 52,000 people had been killed in the last five months.
On Truth Social, Trump said Iran’s demand for compensation was an “interesting idea” and said he would make a counter-demand in future negotiations. Trump said Iranian representatives were seeking compensation for damage caused during the “last five month military conflict,” which he said began because Iran would not agree to give up nuclear weapons. “I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded,” Trump said. “I have instructed my representatives to put this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations,” Trump said. Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping through the strategically important waterway has limited Trump’s options, The Wall Street Journal said. He also threatened Iran with a “massive bombing campaign”, but the report said Tehran appeared prepared for a lengthy war.
