Nicolai Haugsted
Trump delivers fresh blow to Iran peace efforts with unexpected new demand.
Efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran took another turn on Monday after President Donald Trump introduced a new condition for any future agreement, calling on Iran to pay compensation for decades of deaths and damage linked to regional conflicts.
The demand comes as both sides continue to exchange conditions for a broader peace deal, with hopes of reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz appearing increasingly uncertain.
Speaking at the White House, Trump argued that Tehran should compensate victims of conflicts and unrest spanning several decades.
“We’re going to ask for money for the damage they’ve done over a 50-year period,” the POTUS said according to Reuters.
He added that the payments should include compensation for civilians as well as American military personnel.
“So if there’s damages to be paid, I think Iran should pay those damages.”
Later, Trump expanded on the demand in a Truth Social post, writing that Iran should also compensate victims in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Gaza.
Oil markets react
The latest exchange of demands appeared to weaken expectations that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached soon.
Oil prices ended Monday roughly five percent higher after investors reacted to the increasingly uncertain outlook.
Before the conflict began, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the narrow waterway. Shipping has remained severely disrupted since fighting erupted earlier this year.
Iran has continued negotiations with Oman over new shipping arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining that Washington must first meet several conditions, including financial compensation, the removal of sanctions and an end to military threats.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the discussions with Oman as progressing positively, saying technical issues still remained before any agreement could be finalized.
U.S. officials have repeatedly rejected any arrangement that would allow Tehran to collect fees from ships using the strait.
Pressure builds on both sides
Trump’s latest proposal arrives as his administration faces growing pressure to bring the conflict to an end ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Higher fuel prices have become a political concern inside the United States, particularly in rural communities where support for Trump has traditionally been strong.
Democratic Congressman Bill Keating argued that recent developments reflect changing realities on the ground.
“What you’re seeing here is the beginning of a capitulation. This is reality. It’s sinking in.”
Despite a ceasefire reached in June, relations between Washington and Tehran remain strained. The United States later reinstated a blockade on Iranian shipping, while Iran has continued missile and drone attacks against U.S. allies in the region and targeted commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz without its authorization.
