Live! Global markets tumble, oil surges above $105 after Trump’s Iran warning

Trump warns of intensified strikes on Iran, says oil targets possible as talks continue

The US will intensify its military campaign against Iran over the coming weeks, even as talks continue behind the scenes, said Trump.

"We’re going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks," Trump said. He added that Iranian oil infrastructure remains a possible target, saying the US “could hit their oil” if needed.

At the same time, the US President said diplomatic channels remain open, noting that discussions are ongoing as Washington weighs its next steps.

US doesn't need Hormuz, says Trump, then warns 'betrayers'

Donald Trump said the United States does not rely on the Strait of Hormuz and suggested countries he described as “betrayers” should instead purchase oil from th US.

“We haven’t needed the Hormuz Strait, and we don’t need it,” Trump said, downplaying the strategic importance of the key shipping route amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

He added that the waterway would reopen on its own once hostilities end. “When the conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally,” he said.

Trump urges nations to buy US oil, suggests securing Strait of Hormuz amid blockade

The US President has offered countries facing issues getting fuel to buy oil from the US instead. “We have plenty. We have so much,” Trump said, further suggesting another option: “Build up some delayed courage, should have done it before, should have done it with us, as we asked. Go to the straight and just take it, protect it. Use it for yourselves." Trump was referring to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump touts swift Venezuela operation, says US now developing its oil and gas reserves

President Donald Trump also referenced Venezuela in his address, praising US troops for a rapid operation that brought the country under control within minutes. He characterised the mission as “quick, lethal and violent,” adding that it had drawn global respect.

Trump said the US is now working closely on developing and selling Venezuela’s vast oil and gas reserves, which he described as among the largest in the world. He added that the US has achieved energy independence from the Middle East, while maintaining a presence there to assist allies.

Trump says US close to meeting Iran war goals, vows swift finish and no nuclear weapons

The US is close to achieving all of its military objectives in Iran, said Trump, vowing in a national address to bring the campaign to a swift conclusion.

“We’re going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast,” Trump said, adding that Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. He also pledged that Washington would protect its Gulf allies “in any shape or form” as the conflict continues.

Trump has previously outlined US goals in the war, including destroying Iran’s offensive missile capabilities, dismantling its missile production, targeting its navy and broader security infrastructure, and ensuring it can never develop nuclear weapons.

Trump vows swift end to Iran war, reassures Middle East allies of continued US support

Giving a major update on when the war with Iran will end, Trump said: “We are going to finish the job, and we're going to finish it very fast.”

He also tanked allies in the Middle East - Israel. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, and said: “They been great, and we will not let them get hurt or fail in any way, shape, or form”.

Trump hints at ending Iran war soon, signals NATO withdrawal in major policy shift

The US will end its war on Iran fairly soon and could return for "spot hits" if needed, Trump told news agency Reuters ahead of his speech. He reportedly also said that he would announce the withdrawal of US from the NATO alliance in his speech, a move made over what he sees as its failure to support the Washington in the war.

Trump says diplomacy was preferred but Iran’s nuclear push derailed agreement efforts

Donald Trump said that he always wanted to opt for a path of diplomacy but Iran continued building its nuclear regime, rejecting all attempts at an agreement. Trump was referring to the US's earlier operation back in June.

Trump claims Iran’s navy destroyed, air force crippled as conflict rhetoric escalates

 “Iran's navy is gone, their air force is in ruins, its leaders, most of them terrorists, are now dead,” says Trump. 

‘Armed forces delivered decisive victories’, says Trump

US President Donald Trump begins his address, heaps praise on the country's armed forces for a “decisive” blow to Iran in the ongoing war.