Trump: In Response to Iran's Compensation Demand, US Will Seek Its Own Reparations Including for USS Cole Attack

US President Donald Trump said in a statement on Monday, 19 Mordad 1405 (August 10, 2026), that Iranian negotiators have been seeking compensation for damage from the five month war with the United States and Israel. According to Ecoiran, Trump wrote that the issue had never previously come up in talks or meetings between the two sides, but that he is now seeking compensation from Iran in return, for people he said were killed or badly wounded in attacks including roadside bombings and conflicts "originally led by General [Qasem] Soleimani," including the families of those killed in the USS Cole attack.

Trump added that he has instructed US representatives to pursue the compensation claim seriously in any future negotiations with Iran. Donya-e-Eqtesad, citing ILNA, and Al Jazeera both carried the remarks the same day. The comments come as Iran and Oman continue talks over arrangements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and could become a fresh obstacle to resuming direct US-Iran negotiations.