U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States will continue to aggressively target Iran in the coming weeks, even while highlighting the perceived success of current operations. The announcement came on April 2, 2026.

Continued Military Action

“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” Trump said. He further asserted the U.S. intends to “bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong.” The President did not elaborate on potential negotiations with Iran or address the April 6 deadline he previously set regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Economic Impact & Oil Prices

Trump’s remarks prompted a significant surge in oil prices. Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped 4.9% to $106.16 per barrel, while benchmark U.S. crude rose 4% to $104.15 a barrel. U.S. gas prices also surpassed $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022, with analysts predicting these increased fuel costs will contribute to rising grocery prices.

International Reactions

A spokesman for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Elias Hazrati, dismissed Trump’s speech as “insane” on Iranian state television. Hazrati insisted the remarks “boosted our nation’s integrity” and stated, “Trump is tangled with insane remarks. Today, Iran is managing the Strait of Hormuz powerfully.”

Iranian Military Response

Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for the Iranian military’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, claimed that Tehran possesses hidden stockpiles of arms and munitions. He asserted that targeted sites represent only a small portion of Iran’s strategic military production capabilities.

Global Market Response

Following Trump’s address, oil prices rose by more than 6%, and stock markets experienced declines. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.4% to 52,463.27, South Korea’s Kospi lost 4.5% to 5,234.05, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng decreased by 1.3% to 24,965.07. The Shanghai Composite index was down 0.9% to 3,913.88.

Other Developments

An airstrike has severely wounded a former Iranian foreign minister, Ali Akbar Kharazi, who previously suggested Iran could pursue nuclear weapons. South Korea is in close contact with Washington regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and is exploring measures to protect its citizens and energy supplies. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad warned citizens of potential attacks by Iran-linked militias. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed a supplementary budget to address the energy crisis.