US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran pay compensation for people killed or wounded in past conflicts, adding a new obstacle to efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rose 5 percent on Monday as hopes for a deal weakened.
Iran has said the strait will remain closed until the US ends military operations, lifts sanctions and naval blockades, and compensates Iran for war damage. Tehran is separately working with Oman on a temporary shipping route through the strait, with some technical issues still unresolved.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed six new senior military commanders, including new leaders for the armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The appointments come amid heightened tensions with the US and growing questions about Iran’s leadership.
Credit : CGTN