US–Iran War LIVE: S. Jaishankar speaks with Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi on ongoing West Asia conflict
The UAE has reduced its oil output by about 500,000 to 800,000 barrels a day, Kuwait by roughly 500,000 barrels a day, and Iraq by around 2.9 million barrels a day. Iran’s foreign minister said Tuesday that Tehran was prepared to continue attacks for as long as necessary and ruled out negotiations, after President Donald Trump said the war with Iran would end “very soon.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told US broadcaster PBS News that Iran was ready to keep up its missile strikes and that talks with the United States were no longer on the agenda.
Iran fired drones towards Saudi Arabia and Kuwait early Tuesday. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said it destroyed two drones over the kingdom’s oil-rich eastern region. In Kuwait, the National Guard said it shot down six drones targeting the country’s northern and southern areas.
The attacks on neighbouring Gulf states come as US President Donald Trump sends mixed signals about the likely duration of the conflict, adding to uncertainty that has caused markets to swing.
Tehran, meanwhile, says it is prepared for a prolonged war.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they would “determine the end of the war” and warned that Tehran would not allow “one litre of oil” to be exported from the region if US and Israeli attacks continue, according to state media reports on Tuesday citing the IRGC spokesperson.
Trump’s latest remarks on oil-related sanctions
The remarks came after US President Donald Trump predicted the conflict in the Middle East could end soon, even as Iran’s hardliners publicly rallied behind the country’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Trump also said he plans to waive oil-related sanctions and deploy the US Navy to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, while predicting the war with Iran would resolve “very soon,” as he faces mounting economic and political pressure following sharp swings in global oil markets.
“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far. Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen! This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated,” he added.
Trump’s phone call with Putin
Trump did not provide further details, but confirmed he had discussed the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call earlier on Monday. The two discussed a “quick settlement” of the Iran war.
This call comes as Russia pledged “unwavering support” to Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
What is happening in the US-Iran war?
Iran launched fresh strikes on energy installations across the Gulf, including a petroleum complex in Bahrain, pushing oil prices higher amid fears of supply disruptions caused by the war.
Bahrain’s sprawling Al Ma’ameer oil facility was hit, triggering a fire and causing damage. The country’s state-owned energy company Bapco declared force majeure, becoming the latest Gulf producer to invoke the legal clause.
Jets overhead as strikes hit Tehran
The Israeli military said it carried out a wave of “broad strikes” against “terror targets” in Tehran, marking the second such attack of the day.
AFP journalists reported a powerful explosion in the Iranian capital at the same time aircraft were heard flying overhead.
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