U.S. President Donald Trump escalated a standoff with Iran on Monday by demanding compensation from Tehran for deaths and destruction linked to decades of conflict, after Iranian officials said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until Washington meets a series of conditions.
The competing demands could further complicate efforts to reach an agreement to reopen the strategic waterway, which has been effectively blocked since the war began and has contributed to higher energy prices.
Trump said Iran's demand for compensation for damage caused by U.S. and Israeli attacks had only recently emerged. He responded by saying Tehran should also pay for Americans and others killed or wounded in conflicts and attacks that Washington has linked to Iran or Iranian-backed groups.
"We're going to ask for money for the damage they've done over a 50-year period," Trump told reporters at the White House.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he had instructed his representatives to include compensation in any future negotiations with Tehran.
