U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a national address on the ongoing war against Iran, according to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt. In a post on the microblogging platform X, Levitt said Trump will speak to the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday to share important information about Iran.

Earlier, Trump told reporters at the White House Oval Office that U.S. attacks in Iran would conclude within two to three weeks and suggested a possible agreement with Iranian authorities. However, the conflict has continued beyond that timeframe, with the situation becoming increasingly complex.

The war began after a joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran on February 28, which prompted retaliatory attacks from Tehran. The upcoming address is expected to clarify Washington’s current stance and next steps in the conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States will need to reconsider its relationship with NATO once the Iran war ends. Speaking on Fox News on Tuesday, Rubio questioned the value of decades of heavy spending and troop deployments if the US is denied access to allied bases when needed.

He argued that it is time to assess whether the alliance still serves American interests or has become one-sided. Rubio noted that while the US continues to defend Europe, some allies refuse to allow the use of their bases and airspace during critical moments. He described these as legitimate questions that Washington must now confront.

NATO, formed in 1949, currently has 32 member states and is tasked with ensuring the political and military security of its members, according to the report sourced from The Guardian.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington is beginning to see the 'final line' of the ongoing Iran war, which has entered its fifth week. Speaking on Fox News on Tuesday, Rubio said the end is approaching, though not immediately. When asked about the possibility of negotiations with Iran, he noted that direct talks could occur at some point but emphasized that former President Trump would not allow discussions to be used as a delaying tactic.

Rubio rejected claims that the United States lacks a clear strategy on Iran, asserting that the objectives are well-defined. He said the US has already destroyed Iran’s air force and largely neutralized its navy. He added that the US is targeting factories producing missiles and drones, as well as missile launchers, to prevent further attacks. Rubio also mentioned that after the war, the US would need to reconsider its relationship with NATO.

The remarks were reported by The Guardian and reflect Washington’s current stance on the conflict’s trajectory and its strategic goals.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he believes the war with Iran could end soon and that other countries may reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump claimed that U.S. forces have destroyed Iran’s military capability, reducing the need for a prolonged American presence in the region.

Trump stated that only limited work remains to eliminate Iran’s remaining military strength. He expressed hope that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon and suggested that nations dependent on this vital waterway could take the initiative themselves. According to him, those controlling oil exports would likely be pleased to see the strait reopened.

The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and come amid ongoing tensions in the region, including missile attacks and military losses linked to the Iran conflict.

The White House has indicated that President Donald Trump may ask Gulf countries to contribute financially to cover the costs of the ongoing US-Israel war surrounding Iran. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, when asked whether Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates would bear a large share of the expenses as they did during the 1990–91 Gulf War, said the president might be interested in making such an appeal and that further details could come soon.

The first Gulf War began after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, when regional states along with Japan, Germany, and South Korea financed much of the war effort under a US-led coalition. In the current conflict, which the United States initiated, Gulf nations have shown reluctance to participate, fearing economic fallout from potential Iranian retaliation. Analysts cited in the report said these countries are already facing significant revenue and infrastructure losses.

Levitt also stated that over the past four weeks, the United States has carried out strikes on more than 11,000 targets in Iran, while Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants, oil fields, and Kharg Island could be destroyed if it fails to meet US conditions.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States seeks a negotiated agreement with Iran but remains prepared to continue the conflict if talks fail. He emphasized that the ongoing Iran war would end only under the conditions set by President Donald Trump, underscoring Washington’s firm stance on the matter.

Hegseth also mentioned that the United States is continuing discussions with Iran and called on other nations to help ensure the openness of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera, reflecting the administration’s dual approach of diplomacy backed by military readiness.

The statement comes amid reports of rising fuel prices worldwide and significant casualties linked to the Iran war, including claims by Iran’s Red Crescent that 234 students have been killed and 1,268 deaths reported in Lebanon.

The White House indicated that President Donald Trump may request financial assistance from Gulf countries to help cover the costs of the ongoing Iran-US-Israel war. Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt, when asked whether Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates would contribute a major share of the war expenses as they did during the 1990–91 Gulf War, said the president might be interested in making such an appeal and that further details could come soon.

The first Gulf War began after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, when regional states along with Japan, Germany, and South Korea bore significant portions of the war costs. In the current conflict, which the United States initiated, Gulf nations have shown reluctance to get involved, fearing economic repercussions from potential Iranian retaliation. Analysts cited in the report said these countries are already facing major revenue and infrastructure losses.

Levitt also stated that the United States has carried out more than 11,000 strikes on Iranian targets in the past four weeks, while Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants, oil fields, and Kharg Island could be destroyed if it fails to meet US conditions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that Iran still possesses the ability to launch missile strikes despite a month of joint US-Israeli attacks. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday, he said the decision on when the war will end ultimately rests with President Trump. Hegseth stated that Iran retains retaliatory capacity but claimed its military strength has been significantly weakened.

This was the first official Pentagon briefing on the war situation in about two weeks, following the last one on March 19. Hegseth also revealed that he made an unannounced visit to US troops stationed in the Middle East, where he observed their morale and urgency to conclude operations quickly. He asserted that the United States is now closer to victory than ever before.

The ongoing conflict has already placed heavy pressure on the global economy, with energy markets becoming unstable and fuel prices rising in the United States. Analysts believe Iran’s limited yet effective missile capability and strategic position are prolonging the war, making a swift resolution uncertain without diplomatic efforts from the White House.

US President Donald Trump has again criticized the United Kingdom and other allied nations for not joining the United States in the ongoing war with Iran. In a social media post, Trump said countries like the UK, which are struggling to obtain jet fuel due to the Strait of Hormuz situation, should either buy fuel from the US or show courage by taking control of the strait themselves. He also singled out France, calling it 'very uncooperative' for not allowing supply aircraft to fly over its territory.

According to the report, Trump has been repeatedly criticizing European nations for their lack of military support since the start of the Iran offensive. His latest remarks continue that pattern, highlighting tensions between Washington and its traditional allies over the conflict.

The comments come amid rising fuel prices worldwide and growing casualties reported by Iran’s Red Crescent, underscoring the broader regional and economic impact of the war.

Questions are rising over why the United States, despite being a global military and economic superpower, has been unable to swiftly end its ongoing war with Iran. Analysts suggest that while the balance of visible power appears one-sided, the reality is far more complex. Iran, though militarily weaker, is exploiting strategic advantages that have turned the conflict into a major challenge for Washington.

One key factor is Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route through which massive volumes of oil are transported daily. By threatening to restrict or close this passage, Tehran has demonstrated its ability to disrupt global markets. Analysts note that any U.S. military attempt to reopen the strait could trigger Iranian retaliation and escalate the conflict, posing political risks for President Donald Trump. Deploying ground troops would also increase U.S. casualties and domestic political pressure.

Experts warn that without an effective diplomatic resolution, the conflict could become prolonged and further destabilize the global economy, as both sides engage in a test of strategic endurance rather than direct military confrontation.

Several thousand paratroopers from the US Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East, according to two US officials cited by Reuters. The deployment started on Monday as discussions continue over President Donald Trump’s possible next steps in the conflict with Iran. The troops departed from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, joining additional US naval, marine, and special operations forces already stationed in the region.

Reuters previously reported on March 18 that the Trump administration was considering sending thousands more troops to the Middle East, potentially including deployments inside Iran. The latest movement follows the arrival of about 2,500 US Marines over the past weekend, signaling a significant buildup of American military presence in the area.

The expanded deployment underscores Washington’s growing military posture in the Middle East as tensions with Tehran remain high, though no official statement has clarified the ultimate scope or duration of the mission.

U.S. President Donald Trump has told his aides he is willing to conclude the American military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing U.S. officials. The report notes that such a move could prolong Tehran’s control over the vital waterway and complicate future efforts to reopen it.

Officials said Trump and his team recently reviewed the situation and believe that forcing the strait open could extend the conflict beyond the president’s preferred four-to-six-week timeframe. The president’s main objective, according to the report, is to destroy Iran’s naval and missile stockpiles, then de-escalate the conflict while applying diplomatic pressure on Tehran to allow free trade.

Washington may also press its European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening the strait if necessary. Although military options remain available, Trump is reportedly not prioritizing them at this stage.

A 19-year-old Bangladeshi woman named Nishat Jannat was killed after being struck by a garbage truck while crossing the road near Jackson Heights in New York’s Woodside area around midnight on Sunday local time. Police said the truck, traveling west on Roosevelt Avenue, hit her while turning right onto 62nd Street. Emergency medical personnel declared her dead at the scene. Nishat was a student at City College of New York and worked as a receptionist at a parking garage on Parsons Boulevard in Jamaica.

Her father, Helal Uddin, an imam at Baitul Jannah Mosque in Woodside, said the family moved to New York eight years ago seeking a better future. Nishat was the second of four daughters. Her funeral prayer will be held Tuesday after noon at Baitul Jannah Mosque, followed by burial in New York.

Police confirmed that the 38-year-old female truck driver remained at the scene and received minor treatment. No arrests have been made, and the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The truck’s owner, Royal Waste Services, said it is cooperating with police, while its parent company, Waste Connections, expressed deep condolences to the victim’s family.

U.S. President Donald Trump believes the ongoing war in Iran could last between four and six weeks, according to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt. She made the statement during a press briefing on Monday when asked about the president’s current assessment of the conflict’s duration.

Levitt said President Trump has maintained this timeline since the beginning of the operation and that his view remains unchanged. She added that diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran are continuing and progressing positively. While Trump has not ruled out the possibility of deploying ground troops in Iran, Levitt emphasized that diplomacy remains his first choice.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the region, with the U.S. administration signaling both readiness for military engagement and preference for a diplomatic resolution.

CBS News, citing its sources, reported that hundreds of US special forces members, including Navy SEALs and Army Rangers, are currently stationed across the Middle East. The report added that thousands of US Marines and paratroopers have already been deployed to the region. The deployments are reportedly intended to give US President Donald Trump options for potential military actions concerning Iran.

According to the CBS sources, possible operations could include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, taking control of oil facilities on Kharg Island, or seizing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to comment on the matter. Earlier, CENTCOM confirmed that the USS Tripoli had arrived in the Middle East carrying about 3,500 sailors and Marines.

The report did not specify whether any immediate military action was planned, leaving the scope and timeline of potential operations uncertain.