U.S. President Donald Trump in a national address on Wednesday said the United States is close to achieving its goals, declaring that “core strategic objectives are nearing completion”.

His assertion came amidst intensifying conflict in West Asia that entered its 34th day Thursday with the U.S. and Israel continuing their bombardments of Iran, while Iran continued to fire missiles and drones into Gulf countries that host U.S. bases or assets.

Trump while claiming controversial victory said American forces will continue to hit Iran “extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.”

But analysts citing realities on the ground are saying that the war may take on a more protracted and volatile character in the absence of tangible peace efforts.

Iran continued its retaliatory attacks on the Gulf countries as the U.S. for the first time since the war started on February 28 used its lethal B-52 bombers raining down bunker busters on economic infrastructures in Iran.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense reported that its air defense systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones from Iran, with loud thuds reported in several areas.

Oil prices jumped over 6% on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with Brent crude surpassing $107 a barrel and WTI rising above $105. This surge followed threats from US President Donald Trump to hit Iran "extremely hard," intensifying fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, reports coming in show that on April 1-2, 2026, Israeli forces intensified strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing at least seven people in Beirut and targeting infrastructure in the south, following Hezbollah rocket fire.

A senior Hezbollah commander, Haj Youssef Ismail Hashem, was killed by an Israeli strike, while Hezbollah reported 51 attacks against Israeli military targets in retaliation.

There has been no serious track of negotiated settlement to the crisis although Trump said that Iran asked for a ceasefire, which Tehran denied outright.