Former US President Donald Trump has stated that Iran, not the United States, should be paying reparations for damages and deaths incurred over the past 50 years. This demand, made during ongoing peace negotiations, adds a significant new hurdle to efforts aimed at stabilizing the region and reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Rejects Iranian Demands, Cites Historical Grievances
Trump’s comments came in response to Iran’s conditions for a peace deal, which included compensation from the US, an end to sanctions, and a halt to military threats. These demands largely mirrored a preliminary agreement signed in June that has since faltered.
“We’re going to ask for money for the damage they’ve done over a 50-year period,” Trump declared, specifying that payments should cover civilian deaths and casualties among US forces in the region. He emphasized, “If there’s damages to be paid, I think Iran should pay those damages.”
Among the specific incidents cited, Trump mentioned Iran’s responsibility for the deaths of 17 US sailors in the October 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen. However, it's important to note that al-Qaeda, not Iran, has historically been blamed for that attack. In a Truth Social post, Trump also attributed damages and deaths in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza to Iran.
He further pointed to Iran's crackdown on demonstrations in late 2025 and 2026, claiming approximately 52,000 protesters had been killed. This figure significantly exceeds reports from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which reported around 7,000 deaths, including 6,500 protesters, in February of that year.
Strait of Hormuz Talks and Regional Tensions
Meanwhile, Iran has indicated progress in talks with Oman to establish new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments that has been largely blocked since the conflict began. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed discussions were advancing, with a shipping route map agreed upon, though technical issues remain unresolved.
These talks also encompass safe navigation, environmental protection, maritime services, and combating crime. US officials have, however, explicitly ruled out any agreement that would allow Tehran to levy fees for access to the strait.
The US and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire in June, but Washington reimposed a blockade on Iranian shipping in July, which Iran deemed a violation of the truce. This led to retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Iran against US allies and commercial vessels.
High fuel prices, a direct consequence of the blocked strait, are a key concern ahead of upcoming midterm elections, adding pressure on Trump to resolve the conflict.