US–Israel War on Iran, Day 34: Trump says US to hit Iran 'extremely hard' for 2-3 weeks

DUBAI 21°CGOLD/FOREXPRAYER TIMESNEWSLETTERSLOGIN GOLD/FOREXDUBAI 21°CPRAYER TIMES WORLDWORLDGULFMENAEUROPEAFRICAAMERICASASIAAUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALANDCORRECTIONS World / MenaLIVEUS–Israel War on Iran, Day 34: Trump says US to hit Iran 'extremely hard' for 2-3 weeksUS President vows to attack Iran relentlessly over the coming two to three weeks Oil prices surged Thursday after Donald Trump's address to the nation did little to soothe investor worries over the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with the US president calling on other nations to help reopen it. Brent jumped more than four percent to as high as $105.55, while West Texas Intermediate climbed three percent to hit $103.16. Both contracts had been falling before the US president started his speech. US President Donald Trump vowed Wednesday to attack Iran relentlessly over the coming two to three weeks, saying American forces were nearing completion of the war. "Over the next two to three weeks, we are going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong," Trump said in an address to the nation, adding that US forces would meet all their battlefield goals "very, very shortly." The UAE Ministry of Defence has given the all-clear to residents across the country, declaring the security situation stable following an alert sent out earlier. A mobile notification was pushed to phones nationwide, thanking the public for their cooperation and confirming that daily life could resume as normal. Residents were nonetheless encouraged to stay alert, exercise caution, and continue monitoring official government channels for any further developments. Abu Dhabi: The UAE's air defence systems are responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, the Ministry of Defence said early on Thursday, as loud sounds were reported in several parts of the country. In a statement, the ministry said the loud booms heard in certain areas were the result of air defence systems intercepting missiles and drones targeting the UAE. Iran said Thursday that Washington's demands were "maximalist and irrational" and denied any negotiations were under way on a ceasefire to end the war in the Middle East, as President Donald Trump prepared to make a national address on the conflict. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) confirmed in a new report that maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly come to a standstill, recording a 95% decrease in the number of vessels passing through daily over the past month. The disruption is expected to reduce annual trade growth in goods by at least 1% and drive up inflation due to rising crude oil prices. Day 33: Trump says US to hit Iran 'extremely hard' Day 32: Debris hits several homes in Dubai, 4 injured Day 31: Trump threatens to obliterate Iran's Kharg island Day 30: Tehran warns Washington against ground invasion Day 29: Yemen's Houthis enter war with missile targeting Israel Day 28: Rubio says US expects victory in weeks after G7 talks Day 27: Trump insists Iran is ‘begging’ to make a deal, not him Day 26: US preparing to deploy 1,000 troops to Middle East Day 25: UAE intercepts threats from Iran ; 1dead, 5 hurt in Bahrain Day 24: Netanyahu speaks with Trump, vows to protect Israel's interests Day 23: Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz Day 22: Trump says US considering ‘winding down’ war Day 21: UK to let US use bases for strikes on Iran threats Trump says Iran deal may be reached 'soon' Trump says Iran 'afraid' to admit it wants a deal Trump declares: War has been won, Iran to make a 'deal' How nations are pushing diplomacy to end the war