Trump declares the United States will soon end the war with Iran and plans a national speech
Kuwait and Bahrain hit by new attacks from Iran, tanker struck off Qatar
Rubio believes direct talks with Tehran are possible
Asian stocks bounce on hope of war ending
Iran reports strikes in the capital and a hit on a port terminal
by Nandita Bose, Steven Scheer, and Yomna Ehab
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the end of the war with Iran could be near, signaling the possibility of direct talks with Tehran’s leaders and a reduction of conflict, even without an agreement.
These remarks underscore Washington’s changing and sometimes contradictory statements regarding the timing and terms of ending a war that has claimed thousands of lives, spread across the region, and caused unprecedented energy disruptions.
“We will be leaving very soon,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday, specifying it could be “within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three.”
“Iran is not obligated to reach an agreement, no,” he added when asked if successful diplomacy was a prerequisite for the U.S. to end what they call “Operation Epic Fury”.
TRUMP TO ADDRESS NATION ABOUT IRAN
The United States had previously threatened to escalate operations if Tehran did not agree to a 15-point ceasefire framework demanding that Iran not seek nuclear weapons or enrich uranium and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House announced that Trump will address the nation “to provide a significant update on Iran” at 9 p.m. EDT on Wednesday (0100 GMT Thursday).
Rubio stated on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” that there was potential for a “direct encounter at some point” and the U.S. could “see the finish line”.
“It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it’s coming soon,” Rubio added.
TANKER STRUCK OFF QATAR, FIRES IN BAHRAIN AND KUWAIT
Attacks occurred on multiple fronts on Wednesday, with drones hitting fuel reservoirs at Kuwait International Airport, causing a large fire, and Bahrain authorities reporting a fire at undisclosed company facilities following an Iranian attack.
Qatar stated that a tanker chartered by the state-owned QatarEnergy was hit by an Iranian cruise missile in Qatari waters, sustaining damages above the waterline but without casualties or environmental damage.
Explosions were heard in various parts of Tehran after American-Israeli airstrikes, according to Iranian state media.
State television showed car convoys waving Iranian flags and pro-government gatherings in several cities on the occasion of the national day marking the establishment of the Islamic republic in 1979.
Shahid Haghani port, Iran’s largest passenger terminal, was struck by an airstrike overnight, but there were no casualties, said Deputy Regional Governor Ahmad Nafisi to state media, calling the attack “criminal” against civilian infrastructure.
Iran has repeatedly targeted Gulf countries, some of which host American bases, during the conflict, and its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns about its ability to use this vital waterway, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes, as leverage.
Oil dropped over 3% on Wednesday, erasing earlier gains, on Trump’s war exit comments, and the MSCI Asia-Pacific index .MIAPJ0000PUS surged over 4.7%, its biggest one-day increase since November 2022.
U.S. TO REVIEW NATO RELATIONSHIPS, DECLARES RUBIO
Rising oil and fuel prices weigh on American households’ finances and pose a political challenge for Trump and his Republican party ahead of November’s midterm elections. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, two-thirds of Americans believe the U.S. should strive to quickly exit the war with Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that other countries must “be prepared to step up” and help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, echoing Trump’s criticism of NATO members Britain and France.
Rubio told Fox News that Washington would not turn a blind eye to other NATO members’ lack of assistance. “Once this conflict is over, we will have to reexamine this relationship,” he stated.
The United Arab Emirates are preparing to assist the U.S. and its allies in forcibly opening the strait, the Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday. The UAE seeks a UN Security Council resolution for this action and suggests the U.S. take strategic roles, according to the report.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards retaliated Tuesday with a new threat against American companies in the region starting from 8 p.m. Tehran time (1630 GMT) on Wednesday, listing 18 companies including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla, and Boeing.
When asked if he was concerned about the threats, Trump responded in the negative.
HOUSTIS LAUNCH COORDINATED ATTACK
Missile debris struck several areas in central Israel following a volley of rockets launched in the morning by Iran. Israeli authorities did not immediately report any casualties.
Most of the 19 reported deaths in Israel so far have been caused by falling rocket debris following intercepts.
Yemen’s Houthis, who have joined the regional war in recent days, claimed to have carried out a missile attack on Israel, describing it as a joint operation with Iran and Tehran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, the first such collaboration between them during the war.
The Israeli army stated that the air defense systems were operational in intercepting the threats.
The war also reignited the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. At least seven people were killed and 24 injured in two Israeli strikes in the Beirut region, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israel stated they were targeting two top Hezbollah officials.
Indonesia called for an investigation into the deaths of three of its peacekeepers due to Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, which also killed journalists and medical staff.
“We call for a direct investigation by the UN, not just apologies from Israel,” said Indonesian representative to the UN, Umar Hadi, during an emergency Security Council meeting.
((Automated translation by Reuters using machine learning and generative AI, please refer to the following warning: https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
(Adds Qatar statement on tanker hit, paragraph 10, Iran’s Islamic Republic Day, paragraph 12, oil price and stock movements, paragraph 15)
