Trump vows any damage to ships will be paid for with seized ‘Iranian Money’ as tensions mount in Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump warned that any damage to cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be paid for with seized ‘Iranian money’.
The Commander-in-Chief made the announcement on the Truth Social platform on Thursday evening, at a time when tensions were rising in the strait, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
“Please allow this declaration to state that, until further notice, from this point forward, any damage to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto will be paid in Iranian Currency in the possession and control of the United States,” Trump said.
‘These damages may be huge, but it is still the fair and equitable thing to do.’
The post came just hours after Trump said he was considering a “major attack” on Iran as hostilities continued.
He claimed that leaders in Tehran wanted a deal but did not yet feel ‘enough pain’ for proper negotiation. He did not say when he would finalize his decision.
Trump also claimed that he would participate in new attacks if Israel requested, but insisted that Israel’s help was not needed.
The Pentagon flew a B-1 bomber over the region for the first time since the ceasefire collapsed and extra special operations forces were sent to the area. Another 150 medics were sent to a military hospital in Germany that treats US soldiers injured in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that any damage to cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be paid for with seized “Iranian money.”
The Commander in Chief made the announcement on the Truth Social page
Trump is under pressure to complete the war domestically as Republicans facing critical midterm elections in November fear a bloodbath if gas prices remain high and inflation rises further.
Many Democrats have voiced opposition to the war since its inception.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was questioned at a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday; where even a Republican senator scolded him for not giving “direct answers” to questions.
Hegseth said the cost of the war has already exceeded $37.5 billion, and the White House is asking Congress for more than that for emergency war funding.
Trump has made repeated threats against the Iranian regime, but since the memorandum of understanding collapsed, the United States has been unable to revive traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on channel X that Iran would respond harshly to any military action against it.
‘Our defense doctrine is clear: An eye for an eye,’ he wrote. ‘Any attack on Iran, including on our infrastructure, will necessitate a strong and decisive response.’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded by telling reporters that U.S. policy would be “head to head” when it comes to retaliating against Iran’s action. “They will pay a heavy price for what they did,” Rubio added.
The United States bombed Iranian radar and missile systems in the Strait of Hormuz for nearly two weeks after Trump’s ceasefire broke down.
But as America’s confidence in the war fades, four US soldiers were killed over the weekend, bringing the death toll to 18 since the start of the war.
Three people were killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack on an air base in Jordan. One person died after the attempted controlled explosion of an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle.
More than 400 US soldiers were injured in the clashes.
Nearly half of voters, 49 percent, say taking military action against Iran is wrong, according to a Daily Mail/JL Partners survey of 1,021 registered voters conducted July 17-20.
This is breaking news and will be updated.
