Israel stated it got here beneath Iranian missile fireplace on Thursday (April 2, 2026) after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bomb the Islamic republic into the “Stone Ages” with heavy strikes within the subsequent two to 3 weeks.
In a speech from the White Home, Mr. Trumpsought to reassure war-weary People that the navy marketing campaign that started on February 28 was coming to an finish, vowing “extraordinarily exhausting” strikes in opposition to Iran.
“Because of the progress we’ve made, I can say tonight that we’re on observe to finish all of America’s navy targets shortly, very shortly,” Mr. Trumpstated.
The battle’s “core strategic targets are nearing completion”, he stated, warning nonetheless that “over the subsequent two to 3 weeks, we’re going to deliver them again to the Stone Ages, the place they belong”.
His handle got here as Britain was set to host a gathering onThursday (April 2, 2026) with about 35 international locations on how you can reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz that Iran has successfully blocked with no deal to finish the battle.
The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began the battle killed senior officers within the Islamic republic’s navy forces and authorities, together with supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose son has since changed him.
Mr. Trump, whose approval ranking is sinking over the battle, indicated that talks could also be potential with Iran’s new management, which he described as “much less radical and far more affordable” than its predecessor.
He warned that if no settlement with Tehran was struck, Washington had “our eyes on key targets together with the nation’s electrical producing crops”.
Regardless of Mr. Trump’sthreats, Israel’s navy stated Iran twice fired missiles on the nation after his handle, a part of 4 barrages detected inside six hours on Thursday (April 2, 2026).
Iran has dismissed Washington’s ceasefire overtures, describing U.S. calls for to finish the battle as “maximalist and irrational”.
“Messages have been obtained by means of intermediaries, together with Pakistan, however there isn’t a direct negotiation with the US,” stated Iranian Overseas Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, quoted by the Iranian College students Information Company (ISNA) on Thursday (April 2, 2026).
Professional-government Iranians within the capital Tehran had been additionally defiant on the funeral of a Revolutionary Guards naval commander who was killed in an Israeli strike.
“This battle has lasted a month. Nonetheless lengthy it takes, we are going to proceed,” stated Moussa Nowruzi, a 57-year-old pensioner. “We are going to resist till the top.”
Gulf safety
Mr. Trump additionally assured regional allies Israel and Gulf nations that Washington would shield them from Iranian retaliatory fireplace, as extra assaults had been reported throughout the area on Thursday (April 2, 2026).
He addressed Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain — battered by Iranian drone and missile assaults — that america “won’t allow them to get damage or fail in any approach, form or kind”.
As Israel ready for the Passover vacation, which started at sundown on Wednesday (April 1, 2026), air raid sirens sounded repeatedly within the Tel Aviv space.
On Thursday (April 2, 2026), the United Arab Emirates stated its air defences had been once more responding to missile and drone “threats”.
The Revolutionary Guards additionally confirmed hitting an oil tanker within the Gulf they stated belonged to Israel. A British maritime safety company stated the vessel was struck off Qatar, reporting injury however no casualties.
In Lebanon, militant group Hezbollah stated its fighters launched drones and rockets at northern Israel on Thursday (April 2, 2026), with the Israeli navy’s Residence Entrance Command saying air raid sirens had been activated throughout the border.
A day earlier, Israel killed a prime Hezbollah commander, two sources instructedAFP, in a Beirut strike that the Lebanese well being ministry stated killed seven folks.
Authorities in Lebanon say Israeli assaults have killed greater than 1,300 folks within the nation since battle erupted between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah on March 2.
Hormuz ‘braveness’
Hours earlier than Mr. Trump’shandle, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian requested the American folks whether or not the battle was actually placing “America First”, accusing Washington of battle crimes and of being influenced by Israel.
Mr. Trump had claimed earlier Wednesday (April 1, 2026) that Iran’s president had sought a ceasefire, however stated the Islamic republic should first reopen the Strait of Hormuz — which he stated in his handle would occur “naturally” as soon as the battle ended.
In his speech he referred to as for international locations that obtain oil by means of the Strait of Hormuz to indicate “braveness” and seize the important thing waterway.
On Thursday (April 2, 2026), the British-led digital assembly of dozens of countries will “assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we are able to take to revive freedom of navigation” within the strait, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated.
However Mr. Trump’sremarks did little to calm vitality markets rocked by the waterway’s de facto closure, with oil costs surging Thursday (April 2, 2026). Brent jumped greater than 4% to greater than $105, whereas West Texas Intermediate climbed 3%to hit round $103.
One-fifth of world oil usually passes by means of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed on Wednesday (April 2, 2026) to maintain it shut to the nation’s “enemies”.
After a wave of anti-government demonstrations that crested in Iran in January over financial grievances, some Iranians nonetheless privately lengthy for political change, notably after Mr. Trump himself had promised to come back to their assist.
“He betrayed the Iranians,” stated one lady in her 30s, requesting anonymity for safety causes. Sounding resigned, she added she not expects a change of presidency, however “if they may grant us extra freedoms, we may dwell with that”.