WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will use frozen Iranian assets under its control to compensate for damage caused to ships, cargo and other maritime property affected by attacks in and around the Gulf.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the policy would take immediate effect and remain in place until further notice, arguing that it was a fair way to compensate those who had suffered losses from maritime attacks.
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“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 wrote.
He added that the financial losses resulting from such attacks could be considerable but insisted that using the frozen Iranian funds was “the fair and equitable thing to do”.
The announcement signals the administration’s intention to use Iranian assets held under US jurisdiction as a source of compensation for victims of maritime incidents linked to regional tensions.
However, Trump did not specify the legal mechanism through which the funds would be distributed, nor did he provide details on which incidents or claimants would qualify for compensation.
The remarks come amid continuing security concerns over commercial shipping in and around the Gulf, where vessels have faced repeated threats and attacks in recent years, disrupting maritime trade and increasing risks for international shipping.
The proposal is likely to draw international attention, as the use of frozen sovereign assets remains a legally and diplomatically sensitive issue under international law.
