WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end soon and that the United States can stop the conflict whenever it chooses. Speaking in a Wednesday telephone interview, Trump claimed most military objectives against Iran have already been achieved, leaving few targets remaining.
Trump said Iran’s military capabilities have suffered severe damage. Its navy, air force, and communications systems are largely incapacitated, and its missile and drone programs have been heavily degraded. He warned Tehran against any provocations, promising unprecedented military retaliation if Iran escalates further.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz said joint US-Israeli operations would continue as necessary. He added that strikes on Iranian territory would remain daily to ensure all objectives are met. Katz said the operations also aim to give Iranians an opportunity to rise against their leadership, but emphasized that the final decision rests with the Iranian people.
Meanwhile, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly sustained minor injuries but continues to perform his duties, a government official told Reuters. Israeli sources had previously claimed Khamenei was lightly wounded in recent strikes.
The conflict has expanded beyond military strikes. The Qatar Ministry of Defense said Iranian attacks are creating dangerous precedents, including a foiled missile strike this morning. Kuwait’s National Guard intercepted eight drones targeting fuel tanks at an airbase, killing two security personnel. No new casualties were reported elsewhere, though investigations into airspace violations continue.
In the United Arab Emirates, air defense forces claimed to have intercepted Iranian missiles and drones. Bahrain reported dozens injured in drone attacks, including children, with fires at residential and commercial sites. Oman postponed the Muscat International Book Fair due to security concerns.
A cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz caught fire after being hit by an unidentified projectile, the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations confirmed. Iran warned global markets to prepare for oil prices at $200 per barrel. Ebrahim Zolfagari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Military Command Headquarters, said Iran will target vessels carrying oil to adversaries and block any shipments to the US, Israel, or their partners.
Iranian forces have reportedly killed over 1,300 people, including 170 schoolchildren, in missile and drone strikes against US bases and allied locations in the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared major tech companies, including **Google, **Microsoft, **Palantir, **IBM, **NVIDIA, and Oracle, as legitimate targets. The IRGC claims these companies’ cloud-based services and infrastructure are being used for military purposes.
Also Read: Iran Threatens to Target US and Israel-Linked Economic and Banking Sites
Analysts warn the conflict is spreading rapidly across military, economic, and technological arenas. Without immediate de-escalation, experts fear the war could further destabilize the Middle East and global energy markets.
