Trump: Iran Will Pay for Ship Damage Using Frozen U.S. Assets

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran will be held financially responsible for any damages inflicted upon ships, cargo, or related entities. He specified that payment would be made using Iranian funds currently held and controlled by the United States. Trump alluded to frozen Iranian assets as the source for these reparations, although the specific legal framework he intends to employ for such a measure has not been clarified. "From now on, any damage caused to ships, cargo, or anything related to it will be paid for with Iranian money held and controlled by the U.S.," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. He added, "This damage could be very significant, however, this is a fair and just action." The conflict between the U.S. and Iran escalated earlier this month when Iranian forces fired upon commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. While Trump's statement did not explicitly mention the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, it follows recent U.S. military strikes targeting Iranian objectives. These strikes are intended to deter further attacks on commercial shipping and their crews.

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From now on, any damage caused to ships, cargo, or anything related to it will be paid for with Iranian money held and controlled by the U.S.