Trump Announces New Policy to Try to Stop Escalating Iranian Attacks On Oil Tankers

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump announced a new policy on Thursday evening for trying to combat Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz: paying to repair commercial vessels they damage with their own money.

“Please let this statement serve to represent, until further notice, that 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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding:

These damages may be very substantial but, nevertheless, this is the fair and equitable thing to do. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

Trump’s statement came after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen successfully attacked two Saudi ships in the Red Sea, which sent the price of oil back over $100 a barrel.

The Houthis announced a blockade of Saudi oil earlier in the week, and the attacks on the tankers sent fears through the energy markets that both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz may have shipping disrupted. Iran has managed to snarl the Strait of Hormuz for months with attacks on commercial vessels, effectively blocking one of the world’s key energy transit hubs.

Trump told Axios on Thursday that he was “considering a massive attack” on Iran that would be “bigger than ever before.”
“I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump added to reporter Barak Ravid.

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