explainer
As the war enters its 34th day, US President Donald Trump says Washington is close to achieving its goals.
Published April 2, 2026
Iran fired a new missile at Israel after US President Donald Trump said the US had “destroyed Iran’s military” and moved closer to achieving its war goals.
President Trump’s address to the nation came hours after Iran said it had called for a ceasefire, a claim that Iran denies.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran has no hostility towards nationals of the United States, Europe or neighboring countries.
Here’s what we know:
in iran
Escalating War: The U.S.-Israel war against Iran continues to escalate, with U.S. and Israeli bombing campaigns causing casualties and damage across the country, and Iranian forces continuing to counterattack with missiles and drones. Diplomatic impasse: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragushi said that although Iran has received messages from the US, there remains “zero” confidence in potential negotiations. Appeal to the American people: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Americans to question Washington’s motives for continuing the war. In an open letter shared by state broadcaster Press TV, he asked whether President Trump’s “America First” policy was “really one of the priorities of the American government today.” Iran calls US demands ‘irrational’: Iran on Thursday said US demands were “extremist and irrational” and denied that ceasefire talks were underway to end the war. Senior Iranian politician injured in strike: Former Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Khalazi was seriously injured and his wife killed in an attack on his home in Tehran, Iranian media reported. Mr. Karaj was reportedly involved in backchannel communications involving Pakistan with the aim of bringing Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table.
on the bay
Missiles intercepted: The United Arab Emirates says it is intercepting incoming missiles and drones launched by Iran. President Trump thanks Gulf states: During his speech, President Trump specifically thanked the Gulf states and acknowledged that they have been attacked by Iran in retaliation for the attacks. He praised their support and vowed that the United States “will not allow them to be harmed or failed in any way.” Tanker collided off Qatar’s coast: A tanker was hit by a projectile off the coast of Qatar’s capital Doha, the British Coast Guard said, with damage reported but no casualties.
in the US
President Trump’s Address to the United States: In his speech, President Trump asserted that America’s core strategic objectives in the war were “nearing completion” and promised to “complete the mission.” Debate over ceasefire claims: The US president said Iran had called for a ceasefire, but the Iranian government quickly denied this statement. Trump’s speech shows ‘no clear plan’: Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Politics said Trump’s prime-time speech contained little new content and largely repeated recent statements. “This is basically a summary of every tweet the president has sent in the last 30 days,” Parsi said, adding that the lack of new details suggests the president doesn’t have a clear plan.
in israel
Israel announces Iran will launch more missiles: The Israeli military announced early Thursday that its air defense forces were in operation to shoot down a missile fired from Iran. “Defense systems are activated to thwart the threat,” the Israeli military said on its official Telegram account. 14 Israeli medical workers injured: Israel’s emergency services say 14 people, including an 11-year-old girl, have been injured in a missile attack that the military blames on Iran near Tel Aviv. Trump speech welcomed in Israel: According to Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride in Amman, President Trump’s war timetable appears to closely align with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s own campaign assessment after the US president said in a televised address that Washington was close to achieving its goals and the conflict could end within weeks.
in Lebanon and Iraq
Beirut attack: Israel killed a senior Hezbollah official in a Beirut attack that left at least seven people dead, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Seven fighters killed in airstrike on Iraqi base: According to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, seven fighters were killed and 13 others injured in an airstrike on a military base in western Iraq’s Anbar province. Wednesday’s airstrike hit a military medical clinic at Habbaniya base.
world economy
World Bank sounds the alarm: The World Bank is “very concerned” about the impact of the conflict on inflation, employment and food security and is consulting with member countries on how to address pressing needs in the crisis, a senior official told AFP on Wednesday. Stocks rise, oil prices fall: Global stocks rose on Wednesday and oil prices fell after President Trump said the war could end within weeks, despite Iranian government opposition to his comments.
