US President Donald Trump has demanded compensation from Iran as talks over the Strait of Hormuz continue. His new demand could add more pressure to Iran and make a deal on the key waterway harder to reach. Trump said the United States would seek money from Iran for deaths and damage linked to conflicts over the past 50 years. He spoke to reporters at the White House on Monday. The demand came after Iran said it wanted war payments from the United States. Tehran has linked the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to several demands. These include war payments and an end to US sanctions. Trump rejected Iran’s demand. He then made a counter demand for payment from Iran. “They asked for reparations,” Trump said. “I said that’s a good idea.” He then said the United States would ask Iran for money for damage caused over 50 years. The new demand puts the focus on money and economic pressure. It also shows how far apart the two sides remain. The Strait of Hormuz is a key part of the talks. The narrow waterway links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. It is also a major route for global energy trade. Before the current war, about one fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the strait. Any long closure can affect oil supply, fuel costs and trade around the world. Iran has said the strait will not return to normal unless its key demands are met. These include an end to US sanctions and payment for war damage. The issue has become one of the main points in the talks. US and Iranian officials have used Oman as a channel for talks. The talks are aimed at finding a way to improve access through the strait. But the new demands from both sides may make that task harder. Trump’s latest move also comes as the United States uses economic pressure against Tehran. The goal is to push Iran toward a deal without adding more military action. Trump has said he is ready to use pressure rather than keep expanding military steps. His approach places more weight on sanctions, trade limits and financial demands. The new compensation claim adds another part to that strategy. Oil markets have already reacted to the weak hopes for a deal. Oil prices rose sharply after the latest dispute over the strait. Brent crude was above $87 a barrel on Tuesday, while US crude was above $82. Both prices had gained more than 5 percent the day before. Lower oil flows through the strait have also raised concern. Data cited by Reuters showed oil exports through the waterway fell to about 3 million barrels a day in the week ending August 7. That was down from 4.4 million barrels a day the week before. The economic risk goes beyond oil. Higher energy costs can raise transport and food costs. They can also add to inflation in many countries. For Iran, economic pressure is already a major issue. US sanctions have limited Iran’s access to global trade and finance. Tehran is now seeking relief from those limits as part of a possible deal. For Washington, the compensation demand adds another condition to the talks. It also sends a clear message that the United States does not plan to accept Iran’s demands without seeking something in return. The main question now is whether both sides can move away from their competing payment demands. A deal on the Strait of Hormuz could help reduce pressure on energy markets. But the latest statements show that the gap between Washington and Tehran remains wide. Until that gap narrows, the strait will remain a major source of political and economic risk. Trump’s compensation demand has added another obstacle to talks while increasing pressure on Iran.