Trump says Iran defeated as war kills 2,000, Hormuz closed
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- Iran war entered its third week on Saturday, with military strikes, retaliatory attacks, and economic disruption across the Middle East.
- More than 2,000 people have been killed across the region since the U.S. launched joint strikes with Israel on Feb. 28, including over 1,200 civilians in Iran, 13 U.S. service members, 14 people in Israel, and hundreds in Gulf states.
- President Trump declared Iran 'totally defeated' and said it 'wants a deal' on Friday, after previously saying the operation was 'way ahead of schedule' and predicting a four‑ or five‑week duration.
- U.S. forces conducted a bombing raid on Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal, which Trump said 'totally obliterated' every military target but avoided oil infrastructure 'for reasons of decency.'
- Abbas Araghchi warned of retaliation against 'legitimate targets' in the United Arab Emirates after the Kharg Island attack.
- Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to shipping traffic for weeks, with Iran ramping up attacks on vessels; oil prices rose, pushing Brent crude above $100 per barrel.
- Mojtaba Khamenei said the 'lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely continue to be used' until U.S. and Israeli strikes cease.
Why it matters: The war’s death toll of over 2,000 and the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz have already spiked Brent crude above $100, hurting global consumers while Iran faces intensified military pressure and diplomatic isolation, and the U.S. grapples with mixed messaging from President Trump.
