US Has 'Practically Nothing Left To Target' In Iran, Trump Tells Axios
Trump has given repeated mixed messages about the timing and aims of the war
WASHINGTON, United States, March 11, 2026 (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday again signaled there could be a swift ending to the US war on Iran, saying there is little left in the country for US forces to attack.
There is "practically nothing left to target" and the war will end "soon," Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Axios. "Any time I want it to end, it will end."
Trump has given repeated mixed messages about the timing and aims of the war but on Monday he said the ending could come "soon." The US president faces negative domestic polls and fears over the global economic disruption from the US-Israeli operation against Iran.
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Thai officials say a search is underway for three missing crew members after a Thai cargo ship was struck and set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
Thailand’s Marine Department said 20 crew members from the ship Mayuree Naree have already been rescued by the Omani navy and brought ashore in Khasab. The department said the three missing crew members were reportedly in the engine room when the explosion occurred.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, run by the British military, said earlier that the vessel had been hit just north of Oman in the strait.
The Marine Department said it is coordinating with relevant domestic and international agencies for the search and rescue operation and to provide assistance to the affected crew members.
What to know:
- Trump Warns Iran Over Strait of Hormuz Mines: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) issued a sharply worded statement against Iran, urging the country not to place mines in the Strait of Hormuz and warning of severe military consequences if any such mines are not removed. The remarks were made in a post on the social media platform Truth Social.
- Speculation Grows Over Health of Iran’s New Supreme Leader: Speculation over the health of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei grew Wednesday after the son of Iran’s president mentioned hearing news about him “being injured.” Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Read more here.
- Iran Envoy to UN Alleges Israel Killed Four Iranian Diplomats in Beirut: Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has alleged that the Israeli government assassinated four senior Iranian diplomats in what he described as a "heinous crime" in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the envoy said that on March 8, the Israeli government carried out a targeted strike at the Ramada Hotel in Beirut, which resulted in the deaths of the diplomats. Read more here.
Live Updates
- 11 March 2026 10:58 PM IST
Iran’s sports minister says the country can’t take part in the World Cup because of US attacks
Iran’s sports minister says the country can’t take part in the World Cup because of US attacks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s sports and youth minister said it's “not possible” for the country to take part in the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing war .Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country’s soccer team players are not safe in the U.S., according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday.“Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran — they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people — definitely it’s not possible for us to take part in the World Cup,” he said.Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.FIFA said Tuesday night that it anticipates Iran’s national team will be allowed to come to the United States.Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said “I really don’t care” if Iran takes part in the 48-nation tournament.FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday night “to discuss the status of preparations” for the tournament and received assurances that Iran would be permitted to come to the U.S. - 11 March 2026 10:56 PM IST
West Asia conflict: India denounces attack on Thai-flagged ship bound for Gujarat port
West Asia conflict: India denounces attack on Thai-flagged ship bound for Gujarat port
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) India on Wednesday deplored the escalating attacks on commercial shipping in West Asia after a Thai-flagged bulk carrier bound for Gujarat's Kandla Port was targeted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Three vessels were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to the UK's maritime agency.The attacks choked the key energy transit route that carries 20 per cent of the world's global crude oil shipments."We have seen reports about the attack on a Thai ship, Mayuree Naree, in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. The ship was bound for Kandla in India," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.It said India "deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia"."Precious lives, including of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict and the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seems to be increasing," the MEA said in a statement."India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided," it said.Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz.Like many other countries, India too has been reeling under a shortage of petroleum products, especially cooking gas, following the disruptions in the key energy route.India meets half of its 191 million standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd) of gas consumption through imports.With tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz stalled, supply of about 60 mmscmd of gas from the Middle East has been disrupted. - 11 March 2026 10:31 PM IST
Oil prices jump despite strategic reserve release
Oil prices jump despite strategic reserve release
LONDON, March 11, 2026 (AFP) - A record release of oil from strategic reserves by IEA nations failed to ease concerns about the impact from the Middle East war, with crude prices pushing further higher and stocks sliding on Wednesday.The move to release oil stocks came as Iran said it was ready for a long war of attrition that would "destroy" the world economy, after firing on two commercial ships and threatening any vessels from the US or its allies.The International Energy Agency announced its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves to ease the impact from a lack of supplies transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.Tehran has retaliated to US and Israeli attacks that began on February 28 by attacking targets across the oil-rich Gulf and effectively shutting down the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20 percent of the world's oil usually transits to world markets.Despite the IEA announcement oil prices added to gains.While it may be a record reserves release, it still only replaces part of the lost supplies, noted analyst Helge Andre Martinsen at DNB Carnegie.He estimated that releases from strategic reserves could total 1.75 million barrels per day, while lost supply is approximately 11 million barrels per day of crude and around four million barrels per day of oil products."Hence, it will help, but it won't make a massive difference for the very short-term global oil balance," he said.Equity markets were not reassured either. Wall Street was mostly lower in afternoon trading and European markets closed in the red."With the IEA's record oil reserves release unable to push prices lower today, this is keeping risk appetite downbeat, with stock markets struggling and currencies of oil importing regions lower," said Forex.com analyst Fawad Razaqzada- Oil volatility -Fears that the conflict could drag on -- choking off energy supplies -- sent both main crude contracts soaring on Monday to within a whisker of $120 a barrel, the highest since 2022. Natural gas prices also rocketed.Prices dropped on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump said the war was "going to be ended soon", before turning higher again."Markets are likely to grow increasingly fearful over the long-term implications with each day that passes," said Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets.Forex.com's Razaqzada said the markets were paying attention to Iran's warnings to disrupt oil flows and a reported shift to continued attacks from retaliatory strikes.Such a move "suggests the conflict could intensify rather than cool", he said.New attacks hit three commercial ships in the Gulf on Wednesday, officials said, leaving one vessel in flames as Iran pressed its campaign against its oil-exporting neighbours.Sentiment was also dampened by US group Citi, consultancies Deloitte and PwC and other firms in Dubai, which closed offices or asked employees to evacuate Wednesday after Iran threatened US and Israel-linked economic assets in the Middle East.The evacuations at the heart of the Middle East's financial hub come as the Gulf but especially the UAE has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes.- Key figures at around 1630 GMT -Brent North Sea Crude: UP 5.6 percent at $92.74 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 5.5 percent at $88.03 per barrelNew York - Dow: DOWN 0.9 percent at 47,292.13 pointsNew York - S&P 500: DOWN 0.3 percent at 6,764.60New York - Nasdaq Composite: FLAT at 22,695.84London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.6 percent at 10,353.77 (close)Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.2 percent at 8,041.81 (close)Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 1.4 percent at 23,640.03 (close)Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.4 percent at 55,025.37 (close)Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 at 25,898.76 (close)Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 4,133.43 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1574 from $1.1612 on TuesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3407 from $1.3415Dollar/yen: UP at 158.81 yen from 158.06 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.33 pence from 86.48 pence - 11 March 2026 9:58 PM IST
Iran warns ready for long war that would 'destroy' world economy
Iran warns ready for long war that would 'destroy' world economy
TEHRAN, March 11, 2026 (AFP) - Iran said Wednesday it was ready for a long war of attrition that would "destroy" the world economy, after firing on two commercial ships and threatening any vessels from the US or its allies.As Tehran tightened its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea passage for the global oil trade, US President Donald Trump said the war would end "soon" as there was little left for US forces to target in Iran.Oil prices have surged since February 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, killed its supreme leader and plunged the Middle East into war.In an attempt to manage price jumps, the International Energy Agency said its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves -- the biggest such release ever.With the conflict now in its 12th day, Iran's Revolutionary Guard vowed to target "economic centres and banks" that it deems linked to US and Israeli interests, prompting more international firms to evacuate employees from Dubai.But all eyes were on the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global crude and LNG passes.The US and Israel "must consider the possibility that they will be engaged in a long-term war of attrition that will destroy the entire American economy and the world economy", Ali Fadavi, advisor to the Revolutionary Guards' commander-in-chief, told state television.Iran said it had struck the Liberian-flagged container ship Express Rome and the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree because they had entered the strait "after ignoring the warnings of the IRGC naval forces".Oman's navy rescued 20 crew members, but efforts were underway to find three more. Pictures shared by the Thai navy showed black smoke pouring out of the vessel.- Gulf airport, fuel tanks hit -Analysts say a prolonged closure of the strait, which also carries a third of the fertiliser for world food production, would have a devastating effect on the global economy, particularly in Asia and Europe.French President Emmanuel Macron urged G7 leaders to act to restore navigation in the strait "as soon as possible", while the UN asked for all parties to allow humanitarian cargo to transit.Iran has amplified the economic fallout by targeting US allies in the Gulf.On Wednesday, drones fell near Dubai airport, injuring four people, the city's government said.US financial service group Citi and British consulting group Deloitte have asked employees to evacuate their offices in Dubai, sources told AFP.Drones also hit fuel tanks at Oman's Salalah port, Oman News Agency reported.Private maritime security company Vanguard Tech reported the suspension of the port's operations after the attack on its southern section.The economic impact is piling pressure on Trump, who faces accusations that the White House launched the war without preparing for consequences."Any time I want it to end, it will end," Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Axios.- Fireball in Beirut -In Israel, Defence Minister Israel Katz said: "This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary."Israel said it had begun a new "wide-scale wave of strikes" across Iran and against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon's capital Beirut.Israeli strikes hit an apartment building in central Beirut in the second targeting of the heart of the capital since the Middle East war began.AFPTV's live broadcast captured the sound of an air strike followed by a fireball erupting in an apartment within a multi-storey residential building in Beirut.An AFP correspondent saw destroyed walls in the building's seventh and eighth floors, with damaged cars nearby and security forces present at the scene.When the strike hit, "I ran from room to room, pulled my wife and daughter out of the rooms and hid them behind a wall, then the second strike hit", said Fawzi Asmar, owner of a bakery on the street where the strike took place.- 'Living despite everything' -The Israeli-US attacks came weeks after Iranian authorities crushed mass protests, although the United States and Israel say they are not necessarily seeking to topple the Islamic republic.Iranian authorities warned against dissent at home, with the country's police chief saying protesters would be viewed and dealt with as "enemies"."All our forces are also ready, with their hands on the trigger, prepared to defend their revolution," national police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said, in comments aired by IRIB.In Iran, ordinary people were doing the best they could to adapt to living under frequent US-Israeli strikes."We've put our faith in God. For now, there's food in the shops," Tehran resident Mahvash, 70, told AFP journalists in Paris."People are calm," said another resident. "They are getting used to living despite everything and adapting -- as best they can -- to this situation."The United States and Israel launched the war with an attack that killed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.His son Mojtaba Khamenei has been named his successor, though he has yet to appear in public, amid reports that he has been wounded."I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections," the Iranian president's son, Yousef Pezeshkian, wrote in a post on his Telegram channel.Tehran's ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, told The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday that Khamenei was injured in the same strike that killed his father.Iran's health ministry said on March 8 that more than 1,200 people had been killed in US and Israeli strikes, and more than 10,000 civilians injured. AFP was not in a position to independently verify the figures. - 11 March 2026 8:09 PM IST
International Energy Agency makes 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves available in largest ever release, reports AP
- 11 March 2026 7:42 PM IST
'I am confident, as a nation, we will navigate every situation successfully,' says PM Modi on West Asia conflict in TN's Tiruchi. PTI
- 11 March 2026 6:38 PM IST
Israeli intelligence assessment indicates Iran's new supreme leader was wounded at the start of the war, reports AP.
- 11 March 2026 6:30 PM IST
Two Indians killed, 1 missing as merchant vessels came under attack in West Asia: MEA spokesperson
Two Indians killed, 1 missing as merchant vessels came under attack in West Asia: MEA spokesperson
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) Two Indians were killed, and one is missing, when merchant vessels came under attack during the ongoing war in West Asia, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.India, he said, remains committed to the welfare of citizens residing in the Gulf region.The US and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran on February 28, killing its 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The war has reportedly claimed at least 1,230 lives in Iran, 397 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel. - 11 March 2026 4:23 PM IST
Thai cargo ship struck in Strait of Hormuz; 3 crew members are missing
Thai officials say a search is underway for three missing crew members after a Thai cargo ship was struck and set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
Thailand’s Marine Department said 20 crew members from the ship Mayuree Naree have already been rescued by the Omani navy and brought ashore in Khasab. The department said the three missing crew members were reportedly in the engine room when the explosion occurred.
- 11 March 2026 4:01 PM IST
Iran hosts public funeral for commanders killed Feb. 28
Iran held a funeral Wednesday for commanders and others killed at the start of the war with Israel and the United States.
Iranian state television aired footage of people gathered at Enqelab Square in Tehran, Iran’s capital, even as Israeli airstrikes targeted the city.
