Iran fires missiles at Israel after Trump threatens weeks of strikes

In a televised address from the White House, President Donald Trump sought to balance a message of imminent victory with a series of aggressive new threats against Iran. Claiming that the "core strategic objectives" of the military campaign that began on February 28 are nearing completion, Trump vowed to finish all operations "shortly." However, he warned that the final phase would involve strikes designed to "bring them back to the Stone Ages," specifically naming Iran’s electrical grid as a primary target if a ceasefire is not reached within the next two to three weeks.

The conflict has already fundamentally altered the Iranian political landscape. Initial U.S.-Israeli strikes reportedly killed several high-ranking officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While Khamenei’s son has since assumed power, Trump characterized this new leadership as "less radical and much more reasonable" than its predecessor, signaling that Washington remains open to diplomatic negotiations. Despite this, Iran has officially dismissed U.S. overtures as "maximalist and irrational," stating through intermediaries in Pakistan that no direct talks are currently taking place.

Even as the President spoke of an ending to the war, the reality on the ground remained volatile. Within six hours of his address, the Israeli military detected four separate missile barrages fired from Iran. On the maritime front, the Revolutionary Guards confirmed a strike on an Israeli-linked oil tanker off the coast of Qatar. While the vessel sustained damage, no casualties were reported. Meanwhile, on the Lebanese border, tensions with Hezbollah have intensified following an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed a top commander.

In response to these multi-front threats, Trump issued a blanket assurance to regional allies. He specifically addressed Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, vowing that the United States "will not let them get hurt" or fail in any way. This "Gulf Protection" pledge comes as air raid sirens continue to sound in Tel Aviv and the UAE reports ongoing responses to drone and missile threats from Iranian forces.

A central point of global concern remains the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint responsible for one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently challenged the "America First" doctrine, calling on oil-importing nations to show "courage" and seize the waterway from U.S. influence. Conversely, Britain is set to host a 35-nation summit this Thursday to discuss "all viable diplomatic and political measures" to restore freedom of navigation in the strait.

The uncertainty surrounding the waterway has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Following Trump’s speech, Brent crude surged over 4% to top $105 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate climbed to $103. The Revolutionary Guards have vowed to keep the passage shut to their "enemies," a move that continues to stifle the global economy and drive fuel prices to historic highs across the globe.

Domestically, both leaders face internal pressure. Trump’s approval ratings have begun to sink as the war enters its second month, while in Tehran, some citizens expressed a weary defiance during the funeral of a Revolutionary Guards commander. While some Iranians privately hoped the conflict might trigger political change, others expressed a sense of betrayal, now simply hoping for a return to stability and a modest expansion of personal freedoms under the new administration.