Trump demands Iran pay for deaths, damage across Middle East

US President Donald Trump has said Iran should be held responsible for the damage and deaths caused by conflicts in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Gaza.

Trump made the remarks while responding to Iran’s demand for compensation over damage caused by the United States and Israel during the months-long war.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iran had not raised the issue of compensation during previous negotiations or meetings with the US.

“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 including the families of those killed on the USS Cole, and thousands of others killed in combat,” Trump said.

The USS Cole was attacked by al-Qaeda militants in Yemen in October 2000, killing 17 US sailors and injuring dozens of others.

Trump also said Iran should compensate the families of protesters who were killed in the country over the past 50 years.

He further referred to what he described as “52,000 that have been killed in the last five months”.

Trump said he had directed his representatives to include the compensation demand in any future negotiations with Iran.

His latest comments came after Tehran called for compensation for damage it said was caused by US and Israeli attacks during the recent conflict.

Trump had earlier said the US would seek compensation from Iran, arguing that Tehran should bear responsibility for the deaths and destruction linked to conflicts involving the country across the Middle East.