Iran responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s address with new missile attacks targeting Israel and Gulf Arab states on Thursday, April 2, 2026. This action highlights Tehran’s continued resistance to calls for a ceasefire.

Trump Addresses the Nation

President Donald Trump spoke about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. He stated the U.S. would “hit Iran extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” while also asserting that American “core strategic objectives are nearing completion.”

Strait of Hormuz Concerns

Britain planned to convene a call with nearly three dozen countries on Thursday to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas trade. Approximately 20% of all oil and natural gas traded passes through the strait during peacetime.

International Efforts to Reopen the Strait

Thirty-five countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, previously signed a declaration demanding Iran cease blocking the strait. The upcoming call will focus on “diplomatic and political measures” to restore shipping once the fighting subsides. President Trump encouraged countries reliant on oil from the Strait to “build some delayed courage” and secure access themselves.

Iranian Defiance

The Iranian military defiantly stated on Thursday that its armament facilities are hidden and impervious to attack. Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for the Iranian military’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, claimed, “The centers you think you have targeted are insignificant.”

Recent Attacks and Rising Oil Prices

Explosions were reported in Dubai on Wednesday as air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles. Shortly after President Trump’s address, Israel reported its military was intercepting incoming missiles. Iran has also repeatedly attacked Gulf Arab energy infrastructure, causing oil prices to surge to $108 a barrel – nearly a 50% increase since February 28, 2026, when the war began.

Casualty Reports and Ongoing Conflict

More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran during the war, while 19 deaths have been reported in Israel. Over two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank, and 13 U.S. service members have been killed. President Trump stated, “We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast. We’re getting very close.”