WANA (Jul 24) – U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new warning regarding the Strait of Hormuz early Friday, declaring that, until further notice, any damages sustained by ships, their cargoes, or related property would be compensated using Iranian assets seized and held by the United States.

 

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the potential compensation could be “very substantial,” but described the measure as “fair and just.”

 

The statement follows earlier warnings from Trump that the United States would target Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if vessels in the Strait of Hormuz came under attack. His latest remarks come after Iran warned that it would retaliate against any strikes on its infrastructure by targeting U.S. facilities in the region.

 

The renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to oil prices climbing above $100 per barrel, increasing political and economic pressure on the U.S. administration.

 

Shipping industry analysts have also argued that Washington’s threats and public statements have done little to reassure commercial operators about the safety of transiting the Strait. Bloomberg previously reported, citing shipping industry executives, that even U.S.-led naval escort initiatives would not be sufficient to restore confidence, with many viewing a negotiated arrangement with Iran as the only effective way to secure the strategic waterway.