Iran demands U.S. pay for war damage before agreeing to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iran doubled down on keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed until the U.S. meets a sweeping list of demands. President Trump scoffed at those conditions, especially paying reparations to Iran for damages caused by five months of U.S.-Israeli bombardments. The impasse comes as war appears closer in Yemen between a Saudi-backed coalition and Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Nick Schifrin reports.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil, natural gas, and other commodities, remains closed. Iran has set conditions for its reopening, including US payment of war reparations and the lifting of a US naval blockade. According to Yonhap News, US President Donald Trump claims the US Navy has mine-swept the entire strait and has control of it, but Iran disputes this.
The US and Iran are not currently engaged in talks, with Iran refusing to start negotiations while certain conditions are not met. Iran demands that the US pay compensation for damages caused by US actions. Trump, as reported by Yonhap News and the Jerusalem Post, claims the US has cleared the strait of Iranian mines and now controls the key oil shipping route.
Oil prices have risen in response to the tensions, with Brent crude futures settling up 4.99% at $87.72 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude futures closing 5.05% higher at $82.13, according to the Daily Maverick.
Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, Yonhap News, Jerusalem Post, Daily Maverick, Middle East Eye — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
