Iran has a long and storied history of making absurd demands while ignoring its own track record, and this week was no different. After months of conflict, Iranian officials decided the United States should compensate them for damages tied to the war.
They floated the idea during talks over the Strait of Hormuz, apparently believing they had leverage over President Trump. They were dealing with the wrong negotiator.
Trump essentially responded with (use your Dr. Evil voice here), 'How about, no?'
The President was having none of the silly demand from the rogue regime and responded in kind on Truth Social. Iranian officials probably should have thought better before demanding compensation from anybody.
"It is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts," Trump countered.
He went on to mention the USS Cole bombing from nearly 26 years ago and suggested compensation to America should include consideration of "thousands of others killed in combat."
"Additionally, compensation should be paid to the families of the hundreds of thousands of innocent protestors that Iran has killed over the last 50 years, not to mention the 52,000 that have been killed in the last five months," he added.
Trump said he has instructed his representatives to include the compensation demand into "any, and all, future negotiations."
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just went maximum hardball on Iran after they demanded "reparations" from the US
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 10, 2026
Now TRUMP is demanding reparations from IRAN, saying it must be put into ANY agreement 🔥
Should've kept their mouth SHUT!
"It is an interesting idea because now I am… pic.twitter.com/VYFdTLInug
In a follow-up post, the President wrote: "Also, with respect to the Iran negotiations, Iran should be responsible for the damages and death caused to the people of Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza!"
What started as Tehran’s attempt to extract money quickly turned into a reminder of everything Iran still owes to America, their own people, and the rest of the world.
This isn’t the Obama era. There will be no pallets of cash.
Trump's comments come in response to the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who is also a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), insisting that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was contingent on compensation payments from the United States.
Iran is demanding an end to regional hostilities and compensation for damages before fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, warning that talks over a temporary route don’t guarantee it will stay open.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 10, 2026
The U.S. blockade remains in place as Washington ramps up diplomatic, economic,… pic.twitter.com/RXEt15fett
Embedded tweet continues:
... and military pressure, though President Trump has suggested he could declare victory and move on if Iran fully reopens the strait, even without a nuclear deal.
Vice President JD Vance says negotiations are still “in the middle of the game,” as U.S. and Israeli officials point to growing economic pressure on Tehran.
@TreyYingst reports on the Middle East live from the region.
Aside from compensation, Iran demanded that the U.S. "correct its behavior."
Yeah, no.
As RedState's Ward Clark writes, President Trump agreeing to provide compensation to Iran post-war is as likely as "domestic swine take unaided to the skies."
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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