Trump: "U.S. Controls Hormuz"... Counters Iran's Compensation Demands (Comprehensive)

U.S. Stresses "Control of Hormuz"

Counters Iran's Demands for Compensation

Iran Reshuffles Military Leadership, Calls for Internal Unity

The negotiations between the United States and Iran over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz are struggling to make any breakthroughs. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on August 10 (local time) that the U.S. Navy currently controls the Strait of Hormuz, and responded to Iran's demand for compensation for war damages by insisting on "counter-compensation." Iran’s leadership, meanwhile, has replaced much of its military high command and is urging internal unity as it strengthens its response posture.

Trump Emphasizes U.S. Military Control of the Strait of Hormuz

President Trump told reporters at the White House that the Strait of Hormuz is "open now," adding, "The only entity currently controlling the Strait of Hormuz is the U.S. Navy." He asserted that the U.S. has established an "ironclad blockade," saying, "We allow in only those we want to let in — they are coming and going."

He also brought up the fact that Iran is laying mines in the strait. President Trump said, "It's a bit complicated because they occasionally drop mines," but added, "We are locating the mines, and we have cleared the entire strait."

Earlier in the morning, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he would demand compensation from Iran. This was in response to Iran’s demands on August 8, setting conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz that included the lifting of the U.S. maritime blockade and sanctions against Iran, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the surrounding region, and the cessation of military attacks.

President Trump said, "In any negotiation or talks, it (the demand for compensation) has never been mentioned," but added, "It's an interesting idea. I will now similarly demand compensation from Iran."

President Trump claimed that Iran should pay compensation to those killed or injured by roadside bombs and in various conflicts, mentioning Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in 2020.

He also insisted that the families of U.S. Navy personnel who were killed in the USS Cole bombing at Yemen's Aden port in 2000 should receive compensation. Seventeen U.S. service members died in that attack. However, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has determined that the attack was carried out by Al Qaeda, so it is not confirmed that Iran was responsible.

President Trump further claimed that compensation should be paid to the families of those killed by the Iranian government during anti-government protests, stating, "I have instructed our negotiators to firmly raise this issue in all future negotiations."

Iran Showcases Leadership Stability... Overhauls Military High Command

Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

As the gap widens in negotiations between the United States and Iran—now trading demands for compensation over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—Iran’s leadership is working on boosting internal unity and organizing its military command structure.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced during a meeting with political figures at the Ministry of Interior that he had met with Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei for about seven hours.

President Pezeshkian said, "His health was excellent, and he gave several guidelines," adding, "I spoke of my concerns and issues, and he listened to me comfortably."

The two discussed topics including citizens' livelihoods, employment, and housing issues, as well as the economic challenges resulting from Western sanctions and the domestic political situation. According to President Pezeshkian, the most emphasized message from the Supreme Leader was "maintaining unity and solidarity."

These remarks come as questions have arisen about Mojtaba’s health due to his absence from public events since taking office as Iran’s new leader. President Pezeshkian previously stated during a state television interview on August 5 that "communication with the new Supreme Leader is currently very challenging." Since then, dissident Iranian media outlets have speculated that Mojtaba’s health is in critical condition.

On this day, Mojtaba also carried out a major reshuffle of the military’s high command. According to state media outlet IRNA, Mojtaba appointed Major General Ali Abdollahi as the new Chief of Staff of the Iranian Republican Army. Major General Abdollahi succeeds Abdolrahim Mousavi, the former Chief of Staff who was killed in a U.S. and Israeli airstrike in February.

Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff, and Major General Ahmad Vahidi as Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Major General Mostafa Izadi was named Deputy Commander of the IRGC, Major General Ali Azmaei as Commander of the IRGC Navy, and Hossein Taeb as head of the Basij militia.

Mojtaba instructed the new military leadership to strengthen the defense and security capabilities and preparedness of both the armed forces and the Basij militia, and to establish a system capable of countering not only conventional military threats, but also cognitive warfare and hybrid threats. He also ordered the completion of the integration process between the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Central Command.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.