Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran is prepared for at least six months of war. In contrast, US President Donald Trump said yesterday that the war could be over in a few weeks, repeating the claim that the US will leave Iran very soon. Trump elaborated that he thinks it will take two weeks, maybe a few more days, and asserted that the main goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons has been achieved and the regime has been changed. Meanwhile, Araghchi maintains that Iran has no direct negotiations with the US but has indirect contact through special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Regional attacks and incidents have been attributed to Iranian aggression. In Kuwait, fuel tanks are burning after an Iranian drone attack on an airport, with a spokesperson describing it as a large fire but reporting no injuries. Iran and the armed factions it supports are accused of being behind the drone attack. Bahrain's interior department reported a fire at a business facility as a result of Iranian aggression, and Saudi Arabia stated that several drones have been stopped and destroyed. Off the coast near Qatar's capital Doha, a tanker was hit by a projectile about 30 kilometers north of the city, causing damage to the vessel. No crew members were injured, there is no environmental impact on site, and authorities are investigating.
Negotiations mean that two countries initiate talks to reach an agreement, and nothing like that is happening between us and the US.
President Donald Trump will deliver a speech to the nation about Iran on Wednesday evening at 21:00 local time, which is 3:00 AM Swedish time on Thursday. No details were given about the speech's content, other than that it concerns an important update. Trump has not given any speech about the war with Iran since it began over a month ago.
Hope for a de-escalation or end of the war in Iran caused stock markets to rise in the US on Tuesday and in Asia on Wednesday. In Iraq, a foreign journalist has been kidnapped by unknown persons. In a brief statement, the department said security forces are working to ensure the release of the woman.
We are finishing the job. I think it will take two weeks, maybe a few more days. We want to knock out everything they have.