US President Donald Trump said that damages to ships and goods will be compensated from Iranian funds that the United States owns and controls, in tandem with attacks by Iran and its proxies on oil tankers, which increased pressure on global energy flows.

Trump clarified on TRUTH SOCIAL Thursday evening that 'any damages to ships, cargo, or related items, from now on until further notice, will be paid from Iranian funds that the United States owns and controls.'

The US president added that these damages 'could be very large,' but he considered charging them to Iranian funds held in Washington as 'fair and equitable.'

According to Bloomberg, the president did not provide details on how these payments would work, including whether the US would pay shipping companies directly.

Trump escalated his threats against Iran in recent days after repeated clashes between the two sides over the past two weeks.

The United States holds about $2 billion of frozen Iranian funds. A much larger portion is held in other countries, and US sanctions prevent its transfer, with estimates ranging from $24 billion to nearly $100 billion, according to the agency.

The release of those funds, along with lifting US sanctions and creating a $300 billion fund for investment in Iran, were key elements of the so-called memorandum of understanding signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last June.

However, the use of the funds is highly controversial, as victims of attacks linked to Iran and its proxies over the past decades demand that the US president compensate them for their losses and damages suffered as a result.

America Continues Strikes on Iran

In the same context, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the start of new strikes on Iran, while Iranian media reported hearing multiple explosions in Ahvaz in southern Iran.

CENTCOM added that this is the 13th consecutive night that the US has carried out strikes aimed at holding Iran accountable and reducing threats posed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard to commercial navigation.

According to Axios, the US president is seriously considering resuming large-scale military operations against Iran, including strikes that would be larger than those carried out during Operation 'Epic Fury.'

In a brief statement to the news site on Thursday, Trump acknowledged that such a decision would have repercussions, stressing that he has not made up his mind yet and has not set a date for a decision, while two other US officials confirmed that no new orders have been issued to the military.

Trump added: 'I am studying a massive attack, bigger than ever. I am close to making a decision, and everything is ready.'

Trump Warns Iran and Houthis

Earlier, the US president said that the United States will hold Iran responsible for Houthi attacks, warning that they 'will face severe military punishment' if attacks on navigation continue.

He added that the United States attacked the Houthis heavily a year ago due to their interference in trade and navigation by firing at ships. He added: 'Since then, and during our conflict with Iran, they have behaved very responsibly.'

He continued: 'Unfortunately, they are now starting to return to that again, as they fired on two Saudi ships last night.'

He said: 'Please let this post serve as a message that if they do it again, the United States will hold Iran responsible, as the Houthis are a proxy and/or agent of Iran, and severe military punishment will be imposed on Iran, and of course on the Houthis themselves.'