US-Iran Conflict Update: US President Donald Trump said the ongoing confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran will be “wrapped up soon,” describing the conflict as a high-stakes chess match.
Speaking about the state of the war, Trump emphasised that American and Israeli forces have already neutralised much of Iran’s offensive capability.
“We have extinguished most of their missiles and drones… We have fully extinguished two layers of leadership and probably a third,” he said, underscoring the scale of the military operations.
Trump downplays market concerns
Trump also addressed economic concerns, noting that while the stock market dipped amid escalating tensions, the decline was less severe than anticipated.
“You want to see a stock market go down? Start letting them hit you with nukes… It’s a very small price to pay, and I thought it was going to go down much more,” he said, portraying the financial impact as manageable compared with the risks of unchecked aggression.
Historically, the stock market tends to decline during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, as investors react to heightened risks and potential economic disruptions.
Strait of Hormuz remains key focus
A critical choke point in the conflict remains the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which nearly 90–95 per cent of global energy shipments pass.
Trump acknowledged Iran’s long-standing leverage over the strait but insisted that its strategic advantage “doesn’t work” anymore.
Framing the confrontation as part of a broader global security effort, he added, “It is a big chess game at a very high level.”
Third week of the US-Iran conflict
The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has now entered its third week, after beginning on February 28, 2026, with ongoing airstrikes between the sides and no resolution yet in sight.
Recently, Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting US bases in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
In response, the US carried out strikes on 90 military targets on Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil hub. The strikes avoided oil infrastructure but came with a warning of further action if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.
Around 200 US troops wounded
According to a report by Reuters, the number of US troops wounded in the conflict has risen to about 200, the US military said on Monday.
The United States Central Command said the vast majority of the injuries were minor, and 180 troops have already returned to duty. However, 10 of the injuries are considered serious, it added.
