Trump opens a new front against Iran: 'I also demand compensation'
US President Donald Trump presents a new demand to Iran – this time regarding compensation for the damages and casualties incurred during the recent military confrontation.
According to Trump, representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are demanding compensation for the damage they incurred during the last five months of military confrontation.
Trump claims the confrontation began due to the desire to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons, and emphasizes that the issue of Iranian compensation was not raised at all during negotiations or meetings between the parties.
But here's the twist:
Trump turns the claim on its head.
According to him, if Iran demands compensation for the damage it incurred – the US will demand compensation from Iran for the damage it itself caused over the years.
Trump simply says: 'Iran must also pay'
In fact, Trump says he is demanding compensation from Iran for the casualties and damage caused by its military and terrorist actions.
Among other things, he mentions: the attacks and operations attributed to the Iranian regime and forces acting on its behalf. The casualties in operations attributed to the Quds Force and General Qassem Soleimani. The families of those killed in the attack against the American destroyer USS Cole. Thousands of people killed in various military confrontations. Hundreds of thousands of Iranian protesters who he claims were killed by the Iranian regime over the past 50 years. Approximately 52,000 people who he claims were killed during the last five months of confrontation.
Trump also said he instructed his representatives to include the issue of compensation in any future negotiations with Iran.
But the real meaning lies behind the scenes in a brutal negotiation between Trump and the Iranians.
The important point here is not just the amount of compensation.
Trump's message is that the discussion with Iran will not only revolve around what the US owes Iran, but also around what Iran owes the US.
This changes the starting point of any future negotiation.
If Iran tries to raise demands for war damages compensation, Trump signals that he intends to bring the entire historical account back to the table – attacks, proxy wars, activities of Iranian proxies, and American casualties.
Or in simple words:
Iran wants to open an account book?
No problem!
Trump wants to open the American account book.
And from here to what interests us, what does this mean for the markets?
If these statements become an official part of the negotiations, they could make it difficult to reach a quick agreement between the parties, in a situation where both sides are already deeply entrenched on their own side.
The market generally likes agreements because they reduce risk premiums – especially concerning oil, the Middle East, and global trade.
But a mutual demand for compensation introduces an additional layer of conflict into the negotiations:
Not just security, nuclear issues, and sanctions, but also a financial and historical reckoning.
On the other hand, the very fact that Trump talks about introducing the issue into 'any future negotiation' indicates that he is already thinking about the post-confrontation phase – and not just the fighting itself.
And this is perhaps the most interesting part.
Because behind the demand for compensation lies a bigger question:
Is Trump trying to build a new framework for relations with Iran, where all parties come to the table with an open account?
Currently, this is a political statement, not an agreement or a demand for compensation presented as an official sum.
But if it becomes an official American position, it could become one of the main obstacles in any attempt to reach a settlement.
The account book is open – and the market waits to see who will get the bill.