Trump demands Iran pay compensation as Hormuz negotiations stall
by Darryl Coote · UPIAug. 11 (UPI) -- Negotiations with Iran should include Tehran paying compensation for damages and deaths it has caused over the years, President Donald Trump said as he lashed out at the country amid stalled talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said Monday on his Truth Social media platform that he was making the demand in response to Iran demanding the United States compensate it for losses and damage caused during their war.
"It is an interesting idea," Trump said, referring to Tehran's demand, "because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran."
He said Iran should compensate all those killed and wounded by its roadside bombs as well as the families of U.S. sailors killed on the USS Cole in 2000. Others he said should be compensated include the families of protesters Iran has killed over the last 50 years, including the 52,000 people Trump said Iran has killed over the last few months.
In a second statement, he said Iran should be responsible for damage and deaths in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Gaza.
"I have instructed my representatives to put this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations," he said.
Trump made the comments as he has been attempting to regain freedom of navigation of the important Strait of Hormuz energy route that Iran has been impeding with a military blockade enforced since early in the war.
Over the weekend, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, issued six conditions the United States must meet for the strait to be reopened to commercial shipping, including that it "fully compensate Iran for the losses and damages" caused by the war, which began Feb. 28.
"The Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States corrects its conduct," Zolghadr said.
Asked about his comments during an Oval Office press conference, Trump stood firm on his new demands.
"If there's damages to be paid, I think Iran should pay those damages," he said.
Trump also said the strait was open and under the control of the U.S. Navy, claims Iran denies.
In response to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies used to flow, the Trump administration has been blocking commercial vessels from leaving or reaching Iran's ports in an effort to squeeze Iran of trade revenue.
According to the Strait of Hormuz monitor, seven vessels had transited the strait in the last 24 hours, nearly 12% of normal daily traffic.
U.S. Central Command said Sunday that it has redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled two and boarded two since the U.S. blockade went into effect July 14.
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