Trump says the U.S. should receive "compensation" for providing protection to Middle Eastern allies.

On July 13, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Yan Liang) that U.S. President Trump stated at the White House that in the conflict with Iran, the United States should receive compensation from "the countries we are helping." He specifically named several U.S. allies in the Middle East.

In response to media questions, Trump said that the United States is protecting a very wealthy region of the world, "We are spending money... We will be compensated for providing protection." He claimed that the U.S. is doing "very effectively" in protecting Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Earlier that day, Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News that the U.S. will continue to control the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. should be compensated for guarding this strait. "Since we have taken on this task, we should be compensated because other countries are very wealthy and are on our side. We cannot expect to work for free." He also posted on social media that the U.S. will restore its maritime blockade against Iran and will charge a 20% fee on all goods transported through the Strait of Hormuz.