Key facts
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Iranian funds will be used to compensate Gulf allies for damages caused by Tehran.
- Bessent warned of sharp economic consequences for Iran's attacks.
- President Donald Trump indicated plans for new strikes on Iran and the eventual seizure of its oil infrastructure.
- The ongoing conflict, initiated by US and Israeli strikes in late February, has disrupted energy supply chains and increased energy costs.
- Iran's agency for collecting transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz announced its closure until further notice.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared on Thursday that any damage Iran inflicts on its Gulf allies will be compensated by funds seized from Iranian accounts. This statement comes amid escalating tensions and threats of further military action against Tehran.
Bessent's comments on X indicated a firm stance, stating, "Any damage it inflicts on our allies in the Gulf will be paid for with funds extracted from Iranian Accounts." He further warned that Tehran's attacks "will only deepen the economic and financial consequences it faces." Additionally, he noted that any tolls collected by Iran's new agency for transiting the Strait of Hormuz would be offset by funds extracted from their accounts.
President Donald Trump also stated on Thursday morning that the U.S. would launch new strikes on Iran and eventually take over its key oil infrastructure. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes targeting Iran in late February, has significantly impacted the Middle East, disrupted critical energy supply chains, and caused energy costs to surge.
Earlier, Bessent had expressed that Washington would not tolerate efforts to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening additional economic sanctions against those involved in its implementation. The agency responsible for collecting fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz announced on Thursday that it would be completely closed until further notice.