The United States has signalled intensified military action against Iran over the next two to three weeks, even as President Donald Trump said the war is nearing completion, marking a sharp escalation in the last 12 hours.
In his national address, Trump warned that US forces would hit Iran “extremely hard” in the coming weeks while claiming that core objectives were close to being achieved.
The remarks triggered immediate global market reactions, with oil prices surging more than 4 percent, as investors responded to fears of prolonged disruption in Middle East supply routes.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis has deepened significantly, with maritime traffic through the key oil corridor dropping sharply and some reports indicating near paralysis in shipping movement, raising concerns of a prolonged global energy shock.
In a major overnight development, Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks targeting US and Israeli positions across the Gulf region, including reported strikes aimed at facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.
There were no immediate confirmed reports of casualties from the latest strikes, but the escalation signals that Iran retains operational capability despite US claims of severe military degradation.
Earlier, an Iranian missile strike had targeted an oil tanker linked to QatarEnergy, highlighting the growing risk to commercial shipping in the region.
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At the same time, diplomatic tensions intensified after Iran again denied US claims that it had sought a ceasefire, calling such statements “false and baseless.”
In a parallel development, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a public appeal to the American people urging diplomacy and warning against further escalation, signalling Tehran’s attempt to shape international opinion amid the conflict.
The latest developments highlight a widening contradiction. While Washington is projecting that the war is nearing its end, military activity is intensifying and new attacks are being reported across the region.
The conflict, now in its fifth week, continues to expand geographically, with missile and drone activity affecting multiple Gulf states and raising fears of a broader regional spillover.
Energy analysts warn that if disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz persist, major economies could begin to feel supply shocks within days, with Europe already expected to face impact in April.
Despite claims of progress, no ceasefire framework or diplomatic breakthrough has emerged in the latest developments, leaving the situation volatile and uncertain.
