US President Donald Trump has said that countries which did not help the United States during the war with Iran should pay compensation to Washington, according to 경향신문. The report, published on Wednesday, frames the remark as Trump presenting a kind of bill for the Iran conflict.
Trump's position was also reported by KBS News and v.daum.net, both of which said he argued that states which failed to assist the US should make reparations. munhwa.com reported that Trump put the cost of the Iran war at 52 trillion won while making the same demand.
Separately, US Vice President JD Vance said the Iran war would enter an entirely different phase over the coming months, according to 뉴시스. That comment points to further developments in the conflict rather than a quick wind-down.
The reports available do not specify which countries Trump had in mind, what form the compensation would take, or whether any formal mechanism exists to pursue it. The claim that non-participating states owe the US money is attributed to Trump through the Korean outlets cited above, and no figure beyond the 52 trillion won war cost was reported.
What to watch next: whether the White House names specific countries or turns the compensation demand into an actual policy proposal, and how allies respond.