Doomsday Clock Symbolism Grows as Trump Demands Europe Repay Ukraine Aid Amid Iran War
The Doomsday Clock remains a symbol of global risk as the escalating US-Iran conflict enters its seventh month, with Trump demanding European repayment for past Ukraine aid while the Pentagon extends troop deployments in the Middle East to 2027.
Trump Demands Repayment for Ukraine Aid
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Sept. 3 that he will ask European countries to repay Washington for ammunition and military aid given to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden. [1] The demand comes amid Trump's growing fury with European and NATO countries for their refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran, which has dragged on for six months. [1] Hostilities flared again in recent days after the U.S. launched 100 strikes against Iran on Sept. 1. [1] Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that the Biden Administration gave far more munitions away to Ukraine, at no cost to them, whatsoever, than we have used in Iran. [1] Hundreds of billions of dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — if they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly, he added. [1] In the post, Trump also lambasted media reports that the U.S. military was running low on missile stocks due to the war against Iran. [1] For the treasonous SCUM that refuses to accurately report on our Military Operation in Iran, we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any other War, that could improbably take place, wrote the American Commander-in-Chief. [1] The new post is the latest instance of Trump bristling over U.S. aid to Ukraine and NATO, which he has frequently both exaggerated and decried. [1] Responding to President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for more Patriot systems amid a critical air defense shortage that has led to record civilian deaths across Ukraine, Trump himself said on Aug. 7 that military aid had depleted U.S. stockpiles. [1] We want missiles too, Trump said. Biden gave Zelensky $300 billion worth of ammunition. [1] It is not clear where Trump's $300 billion figure comes from — previously, Trump claimed Biden sent Ukraine $500 billion in aid, while Zelensky has said the total is around $100 billion. [1] Throughout his second term in office, Trump has argued that Europe should pay for Ukraine's defense against Russia. [1] He has also previously demanded repayment from Ukraine for U.S. aid. [1] During the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 22, Trump said that the United States would get our money back after Ukraine agreed to a deal giving Washington access to half its revenues from critical natural resources. [1] I want them to give us something for all of the money that we put up, said Trump. We're asking for rare earth and oil — anything we can get. [1] Under the Trump administration, U.S. aid to Ukraine has ground to a halt, leaving Europe and NATO countries to shoulder the financial burden of supporting Kyiv amid Russia's full-scale invasion. [1]
US Extends Major Troop Presence in Middle East
The United States is planning to extend its troop deployment in West Asia to 2027 amid the Iran conflict escalating in its seventh month. [2] The extended deployment could include the US Army’s 82nd airborne division, according to a letter sent to the families of deployed troops. [2] The development comes after the United States Central Command carried out strikes on multiple sites inside Iran on Tuesday. [2] Centcom confirmed the attacks on Wednesday, while Tehran responded with strikes on US-linked facilities across the Gulf. [2] Iranian officials said the latest US strikes killed 18 people and wounded 142 others. [2] The Pentagon is maintaining a major military presence in the region to preserve Trump’s options as he decides the next course of the war. [2] The US has around 50,000 troops in the region, while 19 warships, air-defence units, fighter squadrons and paratroopers have been deployed. [2] US forces are currently tasked with intercepting Iranian missiles, protecting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and blockading Iranian ports and coastal areas. [2] The military is also prepared for larger offensive operations if Trump decides to escalate. [2] Trump received briefings last month on options including intensified airstrikes, deploying ground troops to seize Iranian islands near Hormuz and bombing Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified site that could be used for covert nuclear activity. [2] The prolonged conflict is putting pressure on US service members and their families while contributing to maintenance delays that could take years to resolve. [2] Army air-defence units have seen their usual deployment period increase from nine months to 12 months. [2] Some units shifted from planned positions in Europe and the Pacific have already spent more than a year in the Middle East. [2] The US Navy also has 19 warships in the region, including two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers. [2] Several destroyers are now remaining at sea for months at a time rather than taking regular breaks. [2]
Recent Strikes and Economic Pressure on Iran
Trump has increasingly relied on economic pressure, hoping it will compel Tehran to negotiate. [2] Last week, the US launched Operation Economic Outcast, targeting Iran’s major economic pillars, including oil, shipping, aviation and digital assets. [2] Trump believes continued economic pressure could eventually push Iran to dismantle its nuclear programme or lead to the regime’s collapse. [2] I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing, he wrote on social media. [2] They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight? [2] However, Tehran has shown no indication of backing down, with the US and Iran continuing to exchange fire as both sides assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. [2] As the latest confrontation unfolded, US forces also struck nearly 60 Iranian military sites around the strait, targeting air-defence systems, radar installations, maritime infrastructure, mine-laying facilities and communications networks. [2] The US guided 40 commercial vessels through the waterway on Tuesday, marking the highest number protected in a single operation during the war so far. [2]
Oil Prices Surge on Conflict Fears
Oil prices edged higher on Friday and were headed for their biggest weekly gain since mid-July as escalating tensions between the US and Iran raised concerns over disruptions to crude supplies from the Middle East. [5] Brent crude futures rose 15 cents, or 0.2%, to $95.67 a barrel at 0100 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 26 cents, or 0.3%, to $91.56. [5] Brent was up 7.1% for the week, while WTI had gained 9.8%, putting both benchmarks on course for their strongest weekly advances since the week ended July 20. [5] The latest gains came after US attacks this week killed and wounded dozens, including Iranian civilians, in the fiercest clashes between Washington and Tehran since July. [5] The conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes at the end of February, has now entered its seventh month. [5] Concerns over the wider impact on energy infrastructure have also grown. [5] Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz renewed warnings that Israel would cripple Iran's military and civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities. [5] US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that Washington would not hold talks with Iran unless Tehran stops attacking commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route. [5] Iran has also expanded its list of vessels it considers non-compliant, warning that they could face fines, confiscation or detention if they attempt to transit the strait. [5] Iraqi vessels remain among the few ships Tehran has cleared to pass through Hormuz. [5] Iraq, meanwhile, increased oil exports to around 2.34 million barrels per day in August from about 1.35 million bpd in July, according to two Iraqi energy officials. [5] September exports are also expected to rise as heavy discounts and Iranian approvals for Iraqi tankers encourage buyers. [5] Capping oil's gains, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was still a path to a deal to end the war in Ukraine, adding that both the US and China were prepared to support a peace settlement. [5]
South Korea Weighs Hormuz Deployment
South Korea is considering militarily contributing to secure free passage in the Strait of Hormuz. [4] Possible contributions include maritime patrol aircraft, logistics vessels and a mine-clearing unit. [4] No final decision has been made, according to President Lee Jae-myung's office. [4] Several South Korean media reported Thursday that the government is preparing a deployment of forces before the end of the year, and that the national assembly could be asked for approval already in September. [4] Among the options to be considered are a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics vessel and a unit that can detect and clear mines. [4] A spokesperson for the president's office confirms that military measures are among the considerations, but rejects that a decision has been made. [4] Nothing is decided, says the spokesperson. [4] The government must among other things look at legal procedures, the military readiness on the Korean peninsula and the need for parliamentary approval. [4] South Korean forces cannot be sent abroad without consent from the national assembly. [4] Seoul has according to the reports discussed a possible contribution with both the USA, Great Britain and France. [4] The case can be taken up when President Lee Jae-myung meets France's President Emmanuel Macron next week. [4] A military contribution can however arouse opposition at home. [4] A poll from Gallup Korea in March showed that 55 percent of South Koreans were against sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz, while 30 percent supported it. [4]
EU Concern Over Israeli Settlement Plans
The EU warns that Israel's E1 project undermines the two-state solution. [3]
What to watch next
South Korea's government continues to review legal procedures and parliamentary approval needs before any deployment decision, while discussions with the US, Britain and France proceed ahead of President Lee's meeting with France's leader. Oil market participants will monitor further weekly movements in Brent and WTI benchmarks amid ongoing Hormuz tensions, and the Pentagon's extended troop posture through 2027 will shape options available to Trump as the Iran conflict persists.
