Iran war may end ‘pretty quickly’: What Trump told Republicans
Al Jazeera
US president highlighted what he described as the successes of Operation Epic Fury against Iran in his latest speech.
US President Donald Trump has told congressional Republicans that the war with Iran could be over “pretty quickly”, as he defended the military campaign and outlined Washington’s objectives in the conflict.
The United States and Israel launched the campaign against Iran on February 28, with large-scale air and missile strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, including air-defence systems, missile launchers and naval assets. The first day of the operation killed Iran’s then supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The war has now entered its second week, and in his latest speech, Trump has highlighted what he described as the successes of Operation Epic Fury and suggested that it could end soon.
Here are some key takeaways from his remarks.
Trump framed the recent military action against Iran as a “little excursion” that was necessary to eliminate “some evil”.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says his country has shown it is ready to take the war “as far as necessary”.
Oil and gas price hikes due to the war have rattled the global economy.
Airline says limited number of flights will operate as of March 18 between Qatari capital and dozens of destinations.
Iranian state media calls for turning fire festival into a symbolic protest by burning figures of US President Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu.
Pushback comes as US President Donald Trump says NATO allies should help secure key waterway amid soaring oil prices.
Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari accuses Iran of targeting civilian areas as he calls for de-escalation.
Kenyan foreign minister meets Russian counterpart amid reports that hundreds of Kenyans were recruited to fight in Russia and Ukraine.
Despite degraded launch capabilities, Iran has enough missiles to fire strategically and keep the region on edge, experts say.
Every aspect of Iran’s ability to project regional power is being successfully degraded.
Tehran allows a small number of ships from certain countries to pass through waterway.
Israel is using military occupation of southern Lebanon and displacement crisis to dictate ceasefire terms, say experts.
Neighbourhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs have been left in ruins by Israeli bombing attacks.