Tehran has demanded compensation for damage caused by United States and Israeli attacks, as Iran maintains a defiant stance while regional and international actors continue efforts to broker an end to the conflict.
Iran’s envoy to the United Nations said on Tuesday that five regional countries should be held financially responsible, alleging that their territories were used to launch attacks against Iran.
The Iranian proposal also included the idea of a compensation mechanism linked to the Strait of Hormuz, which could involve imposing fees or taxes on vessels passing through the strategic waterway.
Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said in an interview with Russian state media that preliminary estimates suggest the country has suffered around $270 billion in direct and indirect losses since the start of hostilities on February 28.
She said compensation was discussed during recent negotiations between Tehran and Washington held in Pakistan, and would remain a central issue in any future rounds of talks mediated by regional powers, reports Al-Jazeera.
According to Iranian officials, the country is still assessing widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, petrochemical complexes, steel and aluminum plants, and military sites, many of which were repeatedly targeted and will require years to rebuild.
Damage has also been reported across civilian infrastructure, including bridges, ports, railways, universities, research centers, power stations, and water desalination plants. Hospitals, schools, and residential areas have likewise been affected.
Mohajerani acknowledged earlier that the government faces “economic realities” that limit its ability to compensate civilians whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the attacks.
Meanwhile, the head of the Association of Iranian Airlines said 60 civilian aircraft have been taken out of service, including 20 that were completely destroyed. He added that Iran’s remaining fleet of around 160 aircraft is aging and increasingly difficult to maintain due to sanctions-related shortages of spare parts.
Airlines have also suffered major financial losses following disruptions to travel during the Nowruz holiday period, with estimated losses exceeding 300 trillion rials (around $190 million) in just over a month of conflict.
Several airports, including those in Tehran, Tabriz, Urmia, and Khorramabad, have sustained significant damage to runways, control towers, and hangars.
Despite mounting economic and infrastructure losses, Iranian authorities have signaled they are unwilling to make major concessions in negotiations with Washington, including on nuclear enrichment and strategic demands.
Hardline lawmakers have also warned against extending the current ceasefire, arguing it would allow adversaries to regroup and rearm. Some officials have said that any agreement must recognize Iran’s regional and maritime interests, including its position on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s military spending was estimated at nearly $8 billion in 2024, according to international defense monitors, with officials previously indicating plans to significantly increase the budget following recent escalations.
At the same time, the country is grappling with prolonged economic strain linked to sanctions, internal inefficiencies, and corruption concerns.
An ongoing near-total internet shutdown affecting tens of millions of citizens has further deepened economic disruption, with business leaders estimating daily losses of up to $80 million due to connectivity restrictions.
Officials have blamed national security authorities for the blackout, while telecom companies have begun offering limited “premium” internet access to select users under a tiered system, leaving most of the population with restricted connectivity.
Despite restrictions, public frustration has grown online, with widespread criticism circulating on limited-access platforms and VPN markets expanding in response to tightened controls.
