Iran Demands U.S. Withdrawal and Reparations Amid Escalating Missiles Exchanges

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has outlined three non-negotiable conditions for peace: formal recognition of Iran's sovereign rights, financial reparations, and international security guarantees. This diplomatic stance follows the first public address by new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who demanded the immediate closure of all U.S. bases in the Middle east and threatened a permanent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite these terms, hostilities intensified on March 13 with the IRGC launching ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem in response to previous U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran. The regional impact has expanded as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE report daily strikes on oil refineries, airports, and hotels. These attacks have caused widespread flight cancellations and forced Gulf governments to coordinate emergency evacuations. In response, U.S. Central Command confirmed it has deployed low-cost drones and Tomahawk missiles from Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to counter Iranian deployments of heavy one-ton warheads. Financially, the conflict is placing a significant strain on the U.S. budget. The Trump administration has seen munitions expenditures reach $5.6 billion in just two days, totaling over $11 billion within the first week of high-intensity fighting. Reports indicate the administration may request $50 billion from Congress to sustain operations as Iran claims readiness for at least six months of attrition warfare. Meanwhile, Tehran continues to consult with Russian President Vladimir Putin, positioning Moscow as a potential intermediary in the crisis.