President Donald Trump said all mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared and that Iran should pay reparations for what he described as decades of conflict-related damage, according to a report from MBC 뉴스.
The statement, published Tuesday, marks a sharp shift in tone from the previous day, when Trump had called for a cautious response to the situation, per a separate report cited by v.daum.net. The reversal came within 24 hours, with Trump now demanding that Iran compensate for disputes spanning the last 50 years.
MBC 뉴스 reported Trump's remarks directly, framing the mine removal as a completed operation. The demand for compensation appears tied to broader tensions in the region, though the report does not specify the exact incidents or the amount sought.
Other coverage in the South Korean press offers additional context. YTN characterized the move as a humiliating retreat for Trump, suggesting that after failing to address nuclear issues, he was now focused on keeping the strait open for shipping. That outlet described the development as a loss of face for the administration.
Separately, Newsis reported that U.S. officials believe Iran fears Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth less than a figure named "Besant," and that Washington is testing a low-intensity economic pressure campaign against Tehran. The identity of "Besant" and the details of that strategy were not elaborated in the summary.
The situation remains fluid. The key question now is whether Iran will respond to Trump's compensation demand or continue to resist U.S. pressure in the strait, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments.
