US will use 'Iranian money' in its 'possession' to pay for damage to ships and cargo: Donald Trump

Amid continued hostilities between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (local time) that any damage to ships and cargo resulting from the conflict would be paid for from Iranian funds, which are currently frozen and under Washington’s control. He made a statement on his Truth Social account, insisting this was a “fair and just” way to deal with the losses.

On Thursday (local time), he said on Truth Social: “Please let this statement serve as a statement, until further notice, that from any point forward any damage to ships, cargo or anything related to it will be paid for with Iranian money that is in the possession and control of the United States. This damage may be very significant, but it is still a matter that needs attention. Thank you for your just cause.”

According to Al Jazeera, Tehran has assets worth around $100 billion frozen by other countries that are beyond its control, ANI reported.

Nuclear Posture and Conflict Update

The Truth Social post comes after Trump on Thursday reiterated his stance on Iran having nuclear weapons while saying the US is doing “extremely well” in the conflict.

He said: “We are doing very well against the Islamic Republic of Iran – we are doing very well. They would like to do something, but I say they are not ready yet. They need more of the same. They have some evil intentions. We cannot allow them to have a nuclear weapon.”

He added that “We can’t let them even think about having nuclear weapons, and that’s exactly what’s happening. They’ll never have a nuclear weapon. . . . Other American presidents or other countries should have done that. It didn’t have to be us, but if we don’t do it, no one else will, but I will, and no one else has the ability.”

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on X Thursday: “The compromised individuals in the US administration are burying their heads in the sand. They ignore the reality on the ground and seem to be focused only on 2028. The mindless aggression they are advocating will only ensure that POTUS pays a higher price for the deal he is trying to achieve.”

The conflict between the US and Iran continues after the collapse of a temporary ceasefire in July.