President Donald Trump on August 10 demanded that Iran pay compensation for the deaths and injuries of Americans caused by Iranian actions, including roadside bombs and conflicts led by General Soleimani, as well as for the killing of innocent protesters. Trump's statement on X came in response to reports that Iran is seeking compensation for damages from a five-month military conflict, which Trump said started because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. He noted that compensation was never mentioned in negotiations but said he now instructs his representatives to include the demand in all future talks.
Trump listed specific incidents, including the bombing of the USS Cole, which killed 17 U.S. sailors, and thousands of other combat deaths. He also cited the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent protesters in Iran over the past 50 years, including 52,000 killed in the last five months. "I have instructed my representatives to put this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations," Trump wrote. The demand escalates tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as the two countries have not held direct negotiations in recent years.
