The White House said President Trump will address the nation on the Iran war at 9 p.m. Eastern Wednesday. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the statement as “an important update” but provided no further details.
Trump on Tuesday said he expected the conflict to be over in “two to three weeks,” adding “we’ll be leaving very soon” and predicting that gas prices would then “come tumbling down.” He minimized the strategic impact of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz — which has cut off roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments — saying the U.S. would have “nothing to do with it” and suggesting other countries should “fend for themselves,” after earlier urging European allies to “go get your own oil.”
Those comments followed earlier threats from the administration to escalate if Tehran did not reopen the strait, including seizing Iranian oil, striking electric-generating and desalination plants, and even considering an invasion of Kharg Island, a major Iranian export terminal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the two- to three-week timeline on Tuesday, saying the administration’s main objective of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon had been achieved. He outlined further military aims: degrading Iran’s air force and navy, sharply reducing its missile-launch capability, and destroying key production facilities. Rubio did not use the phrase “regime change,” which the administration had previously invoked; Trump has said regime change was accomplished despite Iran remaining a hardline theocracy.
Day 33: regional fighting and casualties
– The Israel Defense Forces said they struck about 230 targets in Tehran and expanded operations into Lebanon. Iran has carried out strikes against Gulf neighbors and bases used by U.S. forces; one such attack in Saudi Arabia reportedly injured as many as 20 U.S. service members.
– Since the war began more than a month ago, 13 U.S. service members have been killed; Iran reports more than 1,700 dead.
– Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed missile attacks on Israel that Israeli forces said were intercepted; the Houthis vowed to escalate.
– Iranian missiles fired at central Israel injured 14 people, including children, according to Israeli emergency services.
– Iranian drones struck fuel depots at Kuwait’s international airport, sparking a large fire. A Kuwaiti oil tanker off Dubai was struck the day before.
– In Qatar, a missile hit a tanker leased to QatarEnergy; the company said there were no injuries and no environmental impact.
Allies’ responses at home
– British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the nation on the conflict’s cost-of-living effects and said the U.K. will take only “defensive” action in the Middle East, declining to be drawn into offensive operations. He announced plans for an international summit on the Strait of Hormuz to restore freedom of navigation.
– Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was due to address Australians later Wednesday; he has announced a temporary halving of fuel tax for three months to ease rising costs.
Developments in Iran and the region
– Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, said on social media the Strait of Hormuz would reopen “but not for you,” adding that “47 years of hospitality are over forever.” Iran approved legislation to charge vessels for crossing the waterway.
Journalist abducted in Iraq
– American freelance reporter Shelly Kittleson was reported abducted in Baghdad on Tuesday. Iraqi security forces intercepted a crashed vehicle and detained a suspect, though searches continue for Kittleson and others believed involved. U.S. officials said they are working to secure her release; the State Department said it had issued a duty-to-warn and is coordinating with the FBI. Iraqi authorities reportedly detained a suspect linked to the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah. Press-freedom groups called for her immediate release.
U.S. defense secretary visits region
– Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an undisclosed trip to the Middle East to visit troops. He said he spoke with pilots who “deliver bombs deep into Iran” and those countering drone threats, describing an “urgency to finish the job.” The Pentagon said it is prioritizing improved bunkers and layered air defenses to protect personnel and aircraft. It reiterated that 13 U.S. service members have been killed and roughly 300 wounded in what it calls Operation Epic Fury.
Humanitarian and economic impacts
– The World Food Program warned that tens of thousands of tons of food aid are stuck in ports because carriers are avoiding the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal amid attack concerns. Diversions and longer routes have added about a month to transit times and raised costs, worsening global food insecurity. The WFP said up to 45 million more people could fall into acute hunger by June if conditions persist, bringing the total facing such risk to about 363 million.
Diplomatic moves
– Pakistan’s and China’s foreign ministers issued a joint call for talks as part of a broader peace proposal, urging a halt to hostilities, an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistani officials have sought to help mediate, and China — Iran’s largest oil customer — is viewed as sympathetic to Tehran.
The president’s evening address will be watched for any shift in U.S. strategy, clarifications about timelines and troop posture, and announcements related to allies, economic relief measures, or humanitarian steps.