Trump turns compensation demand back on Tehran
US President Donald Trump demanded compensation from Iran for all the lives lost and injuries sustained in conflicts involving Tehran, following Iranian representatives' request for compensation during a five-month military conflict. Trump claimed the conflict began because Iran refused to develop a nuclear weapon. He stated that this issue had not been raised in previous negotiations or meetings, but he found it "interesting" and proposed seeking compensation from Iran in return.
These demands would encompass people killed or seriously wounded in conflicts linked to Iran, including families of victims from the USS Cole attack and others killed in combat. Additionally, Trump called for compensation for families of protesters killed in Iran over the past five decades, asserting that hundreds of thousands had been killed.
He separately mentioned that 52,000 people perished in the last five months. Trump instructed his representatives to incorporate these demands into future negotiations. This announcement followed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, appointing six new members to the Revolutionary Guards and armed forces, including a new chief of staff and commander-in-chief of the IRGC.
Earlier that day, Iran announced it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States addressed its conditions. Esmail Baghaei, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated that the US should address and compensate for its illegal and destructive actions, including the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran's key demands for ending the Middle East war include lifting the blockade, compensating for war damages, lifting economic sanctions, and releasing Iran's frozen assets.
Meanwhile, Iran is in separate talks with Oman regarding transit through the strait, including the possibility of a temporary shipping corridor. However, any reopening is contingent on discussions with the US. Oil prices surged by over 4% following the US and Iran's compensation demands, as prospects for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz appeared uncertain.
Brent crude futures rose $3.57, or 4.3%, to $87.13 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased $3.36, or 4.3%, to $81.51.
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