US says Trump is “interested” asking Arab countries to pay for the fight against Iran

Trump's spokeswoman, Caroline Leavyt, was asked on Monday whether Arab states should pay for the war, as when US allies helped finance Washington's intervention during the 1990 Gulf War, it broadcast Telegraphy.

I think it's something the president would be very interested in calling them to do”, Leavet told reporters.

I'm not going to look forward to that, but of course it's an idea that I know he's got something that I think you're going to hear more from him, she added.

The US led a global coalition of dozens of countries during the Gulf War to prevent Kuwait's invasion of Iraq at the request of the country and some of its Arab neighbours.

On the other hand, countries in the region and coalition members, including Germany and Japan, collected $54 billion (U.S. 134 billion's economy today) to help pay US involvement.

However, this time, the US and Israel went to war with Iran unilaterally without including their allies and regional countries.

Earlier this month, Sean Hannity, a right-wing commentator near Trump, said any ceasefire agreement should include Iran's obligation to pay the cost of the war, which has killed nearly 2,000 Iranians.

However, Iran has established US compensation for war damages as one of its conditions.

Iran has retaliated against US and Israeli attacks with missile attacks and fears across the Middle East.

Iranian officials have said they are targeting US assets in the region, but Tehran has launched attacks on civilian countries, including hotels, airports and energy infrastructure, in several Gulf countries.

American media reported earlier this month that officials told members of the American Congress at a classified hearing that the first six days of the war cost 11.3 billion dollars.

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the number rose to $16.5 billion by the 12th day of conflict. The bill will likely be much higher now that war enters its 31st day.

The White House is demanding at least $200 billion in additional military expenditures from Congress to help finance Iran's military campaign and recharge Pentagon ammunition reserves.

Beyond the immediate price for the American Army, the war which saw Iran close the Hormuz Strait has increased global energy prices.

The average price of a 3.8 litres of gasoline in the US is now $3.99, according to an American Automobile Association monitor (AAA), more than $1 dollar higher than before the start of the war.

On Monday, Leavet reiterated the administration's claim to Trump that rising energy prices will be overcome by the benefits of Iran's weakening.

“The general message, as we have repeatedly stated: These are short-term actions and short-term price fluctuations for the long-term benefit of the threat Iran poses to the United States, our troops and our allies in the region”, she told reporters.

Iran argues it was initially attacked amid diplomatic talks and posed no threat to the US or the region. /Periscope