The President of the United States (US) Donald Trump has stated that Washington DC will use frozen Iranian assets to pay for commercial ships and cargo damaged during ongoing maritime strikes in and around the Gulf.
“Please let this statement serve to represent, until further notice, that from this point forth, any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Tehran rejected the statement, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling the threat an “incendiary precedent”.
“Seizing another nation’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent,” Araghchi posted on X.
“Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalise confiscation, no one’s assets are safe. Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful”.
The exchange comes as military actions continue across the region. Iran’s armed forces have stated that they launched drone attacks targeting US military facilities in Bahrain and Jordan. Iranian state media reported that forces targeted fuel storage tanks, equipment warehouses and troop quarters at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. The military added that strikes also hit aircraft hangars, maintenance facilities and accommodation sites at the Muwaffaq Salti base in Jordan.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials reported that an overnight US missile strike in Khuzestan province near Ahvaz killed at least four people and injured five others. Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of the province, confirmed the casualties following the strike.
Speaking at a meeting in Kyrgyzstan, Araghchi warned other nations against assisting the US in military actions against Iran. He stated that any participation, cooperation, or assistance in committing aggression against Iran creates international responsibility for the relevant parties, adding that Tehran reserves its right to take necessary measures in self-defence.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that American forces completed a 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets. The military command noted that the operation lasted over two hours.
In response to ongoing strikes, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Jordan issued a joint statement condemning Iranian attacks as a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law. The seven nations affirmed their right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, calling on the UN Security Council to recognize the right and demand an immediate halt to attacks while ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.
