US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran pay compensation for the deaths of US soldiers and Iranian civilians, adding pressure to negotiations aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the demand in a Truth Social post after Iranian negotiators reportedly sought damages for the five-month war, which has killed thousands and devastated Iran’s military and economy.
He said Iran should compensate families of US personnel killed or seriously wounded by roadside bombs and in other conflicts, as well as Iranian protesters killed over recent decades.
Trump later broadened the demand, saying Iran should also be responsible for damage and deaths in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Gaza.
The remarks are likely to further complicate negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil trade flowed before the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran in late February.
The comments came as Trump faced setbacks in efforts to end conflicts in Iran, Gaza and Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also rejected a Trump-backed 15-point plan proposed by the Board of Peace to end the war in Gaza. Netanyahu said Hamas must fully disarm before Israel would consider withdrawing from Gaza, rather than under the phased withdrawal proposed in the plan.
Trump has not publicly responded to Netanyahu’s statement. Asked about their relationship, he said it remained “very good.”
