US President Donald Trump has demanded compensation from Iran as talks over the Strait of Hormuz face fresh problems. His demand came after Tehran said it wanted payments from Washington before the key waterway could fully reopen.
Trump said the United States would seek compensation for people he said were killed by Iran during conflicts, attacks and protests over the past 50 years. He made the comments at the White House on Monday.
The move adds a new point of dispute between Washington and Tehran. Both sides are now making financial demands as part of wider efforts to reach a deal.
Iran has called for compensation for damage caused by the war. Tehran has also demanded an end to US sanctions and other steps before agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump rejected Iran’s position and answered with a demand of his own. He said the United States would seek money from Iran for damage linked to its actions over several decades.
The exchange could make peace talks harder. The two countries already disagree over the future of the strait, sanctions and the terms of a possible settlement.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Before the current conflict, about one fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas moved through the waterway.
A long disruption can affect energy supply far beyond the Middle East. Higher oil prices can raise transport costs and increase pressure on food and other goods.
The economic impact is already being seen in oil markets. Brent crude reached about $88 a barrel on Tuesday. US crude also rose as traders reacted to the lack of progress between Washington and Tehran.
The latest dispute is therefore not only a diplomatic issue. It also has a direct economic impact.
Iran wants sanctions relief and compensation. The United States, under Trump, is seeking more pressure on Tehran. The compensation demand fits into that wider approach.
Economic pressure has become a major part of the US strategy toward Iran. Sanctions can limit access to foreign money and make trade harder. Washington can use such measures to push Tehran toward a deal without relying only on military action.
Trump’s latest statement also signals that Washington wants Iran to face costs for past actions. His demand could be used as a bargaining tool during future negotiations.
Iran may reject the demand. Tehran has already taken a firm position on the conditions for reopening the waterway. This means the financial dispute could become another barrier to an agreement.
Talks involving Oman have continued as officials search for a way forward. Oman has served as an important channel between the United States and Iran during periods of tension.
The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the talks. A reopening would help reduce pressure on energy markets and global trade. It could also give both sides a chance to move toward a wider peace deal.
But the latest statements show that neither side appears ready to give up its main demands.
For Iran, economic relief remains important. The country faces pressure from sanctions and the wider effects of the conflict.
For Trump, compensation is now part of the US position. By demanding payment from Iran, he has turned Tehran’s call for war reparations into a wider financial dispute.
The result could be more pressure on Iran but also more uncertainty around the talks.
If the two sides fail to reach an agreement, the economic effects may continue. Oil prices could remain unstable, while businesses that rely on the waterway may face higher costs.
The compensation demand has therefore added a new layer to an already difficult negotiation. For now, economic pressure remains one of Washington’s main tools as it seeks a deal with Tehran.
