U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that any future damage to ships, cargo, or related property linked to ongoing tensions involving Iran and its regional allies will be compensated using Iranian funds currently under the control of the United States.
The declaration comes amid escalating security concerns in key international shipping routes, including the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks on commercial vessels have disrupted global trade and increased insurance and transportation costs.
In a strongly worded statement, Trump said:
> "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. I think that's the fair and equitable thing to do."
The statement marks one of the administration's toughest positions yet regarding Iranian assets frozen under U.S. sanctions and has already drawn sharp criticism from Tehran, which described the proposal as an "incendiary" move and warned against any attempt to confiscate its sovereign assets.
How Much Iranian Money Is Under U.S. Control?
Trump did not specify the amount of Iranian money he was referring to. However, publicly available estimates indicate that the value of Iranian assets directly frozen or controlled within the United States is approximately $2 billion, although the exact figure varies depending on ongoing legal disputes, court judgments, and the valuation of seized properties.
Beyond assets physically held in the United States, Iran has had tens of billions of dollars frozen in various countries over the years due to international sanctions. These funds include oil revenues held in foreign banks and other state-owned assets. Previous estimates placed Iran's frozen assets worldwide between $100 billion and $120 billion, although not all of these funds are under U.S. jurisdiction or directly accessible by Washington.
In recent years, some Iranian funds held abroad have been partially released or made available under negotiated agreements for humanitarian purposes, including the purchase of food and medicine. Other assets remain subject to sanctions or ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
A Legally and Politically Sensitive Issue
The use of frozen Iranian assets has long been one of the most contentious issues in U.S.-Iran relations. While several U.S. courts have previously authorized portions of Iranian assets to be used to compensate victims of terrorism linked to Iran, Tehran has consistently argued that such seizures violate international law and has challenged them before international courts.
Trump's latest remarks suggest his administration is prepared to take an even more aggressive approach by directing frozen Iranian funds toward compensating victims of any future maritime attacks attributed to Iran or its allies.
Legal experts note that whether such a policy can be fully implemented will depend on existing U.S. laws, court rulings, and international legal obligations governing sovereign assets.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, Trump's comments are expected to further complicate already strained relations between Washington and Tehran while adding another layer of uncertainty to global shipping and international diplomacy.
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