Day 75 | Trump claims Iran war ‘won’t last long’
US President Donald Trump has claimed the United States will prevail in its war with 'Iran', “peacefully or otherwise”, while insisting that assistance from 'China' is not necessary to secure a settlement.
Meanwhile, 'Kuwait' said four members of 'Iran’s' Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to enter the country through Bubiyan Island to carry out what it described as “hostile” activities. 'Iran' has officially denied the accusations.
In the Gulf, Qatar accused 'Iran' of “weaponising” the Strait of Hormuz and using it to “blackmail” regional states, as energy supplies and other essential goods remain stranded due to disruptions in the strategic waterway.
Elsewhere, 'Israel' has killed two paramedics in 'Lebanon’s' Nabatieh, according to the country’s Health Ministry, which said they were “directly targeted”. The ministry added that at least 2,883 people have been killed by 'Israel' in 'Lebanon' since March 2.
For the latest casualty figures and developments from across the region, visit our live tracker.
Trump says main focus for China visit is trade, but will have ‘long talk’ with President Xi about Iran
US President Trump stated that trade, not Iran, will be the main topic of his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reports.
Although Trump said he expects a “long talk” about Iran with Xi, he added that it wouldn’t be a primary point of discussion.
“I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control,” Trump said.
Trump described President Xi as “a friend” and someone he gets along with, adding, “I think you’re going to see that good things are going to happen.”
However, the president also issued a harsh warning regarding Iran’s nuclear programme before his departure. He told reporters, “We’re either going to make a deal or they’re going to be decimated. One way or the other, we win.”
Regarding the current ceasefire, Trump noted he would be considering its future during his flight to Beijing and “for the next little while”, concluding, “We’re going to see what happens.”
Seoul to review phased participation in US Hormuz initiative
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back tells his US counterpart that Seoul is reviewing phased contributions to the US-led initiative in the Strait of Hormuz, reports the Yonhap news agency.
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth held their bilateral talks at the Pentagon earlier this week.
Yemen condemns Iran for ‘hostile acts’ against Kuwait
Yemen’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Iran for the “hostile acts” carried out by an armed group linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island.
“The Republic of Yemen affirms that this aggressive behavior is a direct extension of the Iranian regime’s approach based on exporting chaos, undermining the security and stability of the region, and using militias and cross-border armed groups as tools for blackmail and threatening regional security,” the statement read.
Kuwait arrested four men on after they tried to infiltrate Bubiyan Island by sea and accused them of being affiliated with the IRGC. Iran has denied that it was planning hostile acts against Kuwait.
Iran restores access to missile infrastructure: NYT
The New York Times reported that Iran has regained access to most of its missile sites and launch platforms, according to classified US intelligence assessments cited by the newspaper.
The report said American intelligence agencies now believe that Iranian forces have re-established operational control over key infrastructure linked to their missile program, following earlier disruptions that affected parts of the network.
UAE, US presidents discuss regional developments in call
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has discussed regional developments with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in a phone call.
The two leaders also “discussed strategic cooperation and ways to strengthen UAE-US relations in support of mutual interests”, according to the Emirates News Agency.
Trump claims Iran’s military capabilities are shattered
US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran has lost its naval and air power, saying the country’s military infrastructure has been largely destroyed and its leadership is facing mounting economic and strategic pressure.
In remarks on Wednesday, Trump said reports suggesting Iran is making military progress are “fake news” that give Tehran “false hope.” He described such coverage as “betrayal,” insisting that Iranian forces have suffered severe setbacks.
Trump claimed Iran previously operated 159 naval vessels, adding that “every one of them now lies at the bottom of the sea.” He further asserted that Iran no longer possesses an effective navy, while its air force and military technologies have been “wiped out.”
The US president also said Iran’s military leadership has been weakened and described the country as being in an “economic catastrophe,” amid heightened regional tensions and continued scrutiny over Tehran’s military capabilities.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman urges world to reject ‘barbarism, domination’
Esmaeil Baqaei has released a lengthy statement on X, warning that the US-Israeli war on Iran “is a war that will determine the very meaning of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ in our time and for future”.
“This is a war between professional liars who fabricate justifications for atrocity, and a proud people who defend their homeland and human dignity relying solely on their own strength and resolve,” the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman wrote.
“This is a war between those whose decisions are shadowed by moral compromise, and those who act with a clear conscience.
“This is a defining struggle for the future of humankind. It will decide whether civilization’s hard-won achievements—human rights, the rule of law, and basic morality—will survive or be swept away.”
Day 74 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
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Read more: Day 74 | Trump says ceasefire with Iran is on 'massive life support'
