TRUMP DEMANDS: Iran Must Compensate Families Of Americans Killed And Wounded

President Donald Trump responded to Iran's compensation demands by announcing that the United States would make its own demands of Tehran. Trump said the conflict began amid efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and noted that compensation had not been previously raised during negotiations between the two sides.

"That's an interesting idea," Trump wrote, stating he would demand compensation from Iran for Americans killed or seriously wounded by roadside bombs and in conflicts involving Tehran during the era of former Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Trump specifically cited the families of those killed in the attack on the USS Cole, as well as families of thousands of others killed in combat.

The president expanded his demand to include the families of protesters killed inside Iran. "Compensation should be paid to the families of the hundreds of thousands of innocent protesters that Iran has killed over the last 50 years," Trump wrote. He cited a figure of 52,000 people killed during the past five months.

Trump said the demand would be formally raised in future talks with Tehran. "I have instructed my representatives to strongly make this demand in any future negotiations," He wrote.