Trump To Tap Frozen Iranian Funds To Cover Ship Damages
He posted that any damage to U.S. ships or cargo will now be charged against "Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls."
- The statement declares an open-ended financial liability for Tehran and frames the seizures as "fair and equitable."
- It offers no negotiation or tribunal, only a unilateral U.S. determination that seized funds will settle the bill.
- The U.S. controls billions in frozen Iranian assets, giving Washington a self-funding enforcement lever outside any new legislation.
Why it matters: The treasury becomes the judge: seized assets are no longer a bargaining chip but a pre-authorized claims fund, and the bill is left open-ended.