【Iran Crisis】Is There Hope for US-Iran War? Trump Reportedly Demands Massive Protection Fee: Spending $2.5 Trillion to End the War

Market attention is focused on developments in Iran. According to CCTV citing Russian media reports, Omani journalist and international relations researcher Salem Al-Jahuri confirmed on BBC Arabic that the U.S. is pressuring Gulf countries to pay large sums to participate in the Iran conflict.

The report mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump demanded huge “protection fees” from Arab allies—either paying $5 trillion (about HKD 39 trillion) to continue the conflict or paying $2.5 trillion (about HKD 19.5 trillion) to end the war, claiming this as compensation for “achieved results.”

The Pentagon requested an additional $200 billion (about HKD 1.56 trillion) for the Iran war, but this has sparked disagreements in Congress. Democratic and some Republican lawmakers questioned whether further funding is necessary after last year’s large defense budget. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the funding request, stating on Sunday (22nd) that the U.S. government has sufficient funds to support the Iran war but is applying to Congress for additional funds to ensure adequate supplies for future military operations.

Over $11 billion spent in six days of fighting

War “costs money.” U.S. administration officials told Congress members that the cost after six days of the Iran conflict has exceeded $11 billion (about HKD 858 billion).

CBS News reported on Monday (23rd) that Trump hinted at possible negotiations with Iran, and a senior official from Iran’s Foreign Ministry said, “We understand the U.S. position through mediators and are reviewing it,” which is seen as a precursor to negotiations between the two countries.