Iran war will 'end very soon', vows Donald Trump 

Florida (Web Desk/Agencies): US President Donald Trump said Monday that US military operations in Iran could soon end, calming global markets shaken by the conflict across the Middle East.

Tehran, led by new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, fired missiles at Gulf states and signaled the Strait of Hormuz might remain closed, pushing oil above $100 a barrel.

Trump called the campaign a “short-term excursion” and warned Iran it could face heavier strikes if the war resumed. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it would decide the conflict’s end.

On his first day in power, Khamenei’s Iran launched new missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Israel, and Turkiye. NATO intercepted the missile aimed at Turkiye.

Diplomatic efforts focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. French President Emmanuel Macron said allies were planning a “defensive” naval escort to protect ships, though experts warned of Iranian fire risks. Kamal Kharazi said Tehran expects economic pressure to prompt foreign intervention.

US and Israeli strikes hit Iran after the Assembly of Experts appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, the first new supreme leader in 37 years. Supporters celebrated in Tehran, while allies including the Houthi movement, Hezbollah, and Vladimir Putin pledged support.

Energy and shipping markets remain tense. MSC halted Gulf exports after attacks on the Al Ma’ameer oil facility in Bahrain. Bapco and firms in Qatar and Kuwait declared force majeure. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain reported thwarted attacks, while Israel intercepted Iranian missiles, with at least one civilian killed in Tel Aviv.

In Lebanon, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah since March 2 have killed at least 486 people and wounded over 1,300. Joseph Aoun accused Hezbollah of pushing the state toward collapse, while the group insisted resistance was its only option.