In a bold rejection, former President Donald Trump dismissed Tehran’s prerequisites for the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He asserted that Iran must first address a pertinent issue: compensating the United States for years of alleged hostile actions.
Iran, meanwhile, is calling for the withdrawal of U.S. military presence from the region while also seeking reparations for damage caused. These terms have long been a non-starter for Washington.
Trump’s counter-demand was clear: Iran should pay for decades of attacks allegedly supported by its regime. He highlighted the tragic impact of roadside bombs and broader conflicts.
On Truth Social, he elaborated further, “In addition, compensation is owed to the families of countless protesters—numbering in the hundreds of thousands over the last 50 years—that Iran has reportedly killed, not excluding the 52,000 lost in just the past five months.”
“I have directed my representatives to make this a cornerstone of any forthcoming negotiations,” he stated, leaving no room for ambiguity in his stance.
The President’s comments come after US agencies have blamed Iran for cyber attacks across more than a dozen states over the past month.
In late July, US intelligence officials believe that Iranian regime hackers hit a water utility in western Arkansas as part of the wider campaign, according to the Washington Post.
Suspected Iran-linked cyberattacks have also struck water systems in a dozen states, including Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, New Jersey and South Dakota, sources told CBS News, with more than 30 community systems breached in Minnesota alone.
Trump responded by demanding Iran pay compensation for decades of attacks, citing deaths from roadside bombs and conflicts
ran’s targeted attacks on the US homeland occur as Trump’s war in the Middle East crosses into it’s six-month threshold
US spy agencies have blamed Iran for cyber attacks across more than a dozen states over the last month
Military experts believe Patriot interceptor stocks have fallen at least 65 percent from pre-war levels, with THAAD inventories down by more than a third
Hackers forced Georgia authorities in the Atlanta area to issue a boil water advisory after their intrusion caused a sudden drop in water pressure.
In several cases, the hackers gained remote access to pumps, valves and pressure settings and forced utilities to switch to manual mode, but officials say the attacks have had no impact on drinking water.
Iran’s targeted attacks on the US homeland occur as Trump’s war in the Middle East approaches six months.
Since the start of the Iran blockade, US Central Command has reported it has turned away 53 commercial vessels, while shipping data shows no tankers have loaded at Kharg Island.
That pressure has yet to translate into concessions, even as Iranian inflation hit an annual 88.6 percent in late June and the government asks citizens to ration electricity.
At home, Deputy War Secretary Steve Feinberg gave arms manufacturers 21 days to come back with plans for ‘significantly faster’ deliveries or expanded production lines, according to a memo first reported by the Washington Post.
Military experts believe Patriot interceptor stocks have fallen at least 65 percent from pre-war levels, with THAAD inventories down by more than a third.
US Central Command has reported it has turned away 53 commercial vessels, while shipping data shows no tankers have loaded at Kharg Island
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that carries one-fifth of all global oil
Trump has publicly rejected the shortage reporting, insisting on Truth Social last week that American stockpiles remain enormous and that production is running at full tilt.
Hegseth, for his part, told Republicans last month that refusing to fund the department at $1.5trillion represents the single greatest danger facing the country.
His warning failed to move GOP lawmakers who are now openly splintering with the White House over a war entering its sixth month with 17 American troops dead.