US President Trump Declares Iranian War 'Very Complete' and 'Pretty Much Finished'

After days-long tensions across the Gulf region amid reported missile and drone attacks, US President Donald Trump declared in Florida that the Iran war is “very complete, pretty much”. He insisted that the conflict will “be finished pretty quickly.” While defending his administrations’ strikes in Tehran, he even dismissed claims pointing at the impact of Iran’s strikes on Gulf neighbours. Suggesting that many of the countries in the region were “kind of neutral,” he added they had ultimately been pushed closer to the US, as opposed to what Iran may have initially intended. Amid rising reports of blasts across Dubai , Doha and other Gulf states over the weekend, several nations also boasted the successful interception and destruction of aerial threats from Iran in the region. Dubai’s main airport particularly took a hit over the weekend, as a drone attack near the main terminal resulted in the temporary suspension of operations despite Iran announcing earlier it would no longer target neighbouring countries. Follow Financial Express for all the latest news updates from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and other West Asian countries where millions have been stranded. According to reports by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA, Israeli attacks have continued across the West Asian country overnight. Srifa, Rihane Chaqra, and Ain el-Tineh heights in western Bekaa emerged as prominent targets. Lebanon's Health Ministry had previously said at least 486 people have been killed and 1,313 wounded in Israeli attacks on the country. The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said its members had fired rockets at Al-Malikiyah site in northern Israel in the early hours of the morning. The incident took place opposite the Lebanese border town of Aitaroun. It has also claimed the rocket attack on what it called a newly established site” in Jabal al-Bat near Aitaroun, along with targeting Israeli troops and artillery emplacement near al-Abbad in southern Lebanon. Additionally, the group said it even attacked an Israeli site in Tell el-Hamames with a rocket salvo. Saudi Arabia's ministry of foreign affairs expressed solidarity with the UAE in a new statement. Condemning the attack on the UAE Consulate General in Iraq, Saudi said that targeting such building was a violation of international laws, including the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949). After reports of UAE authorities warning resident to take cover while it continues to intercept aerial threats, its ministry of interior has issued a new update. The fresh alert sent to residents' phone stated that the situation was currently under control as opposed to initial foreboding emergency alerts. British influencer Ben Moss told the Daily Mail that he's more scared of being jailed or fined for posting the "wrong" content that he is of missiles. "I do feel completely safe here because of the UAE air defences, but the laws can sometimes concern me so I always keep everything positive," he told the UK outlet. "I'm far more scared of being fined or jailed for posting the wrong content than I am of the Iranian missiles and drones.' "We felt it was much safer to be in Hatta, keeping on the move each night,' said Ben, 'We were really worried at first, and I had also made the mistake of posting an image of my apartment online and it occurred to me that it could put us at risk. We never intended leaving the UAE but we did see many families crossing the border when we were at Hatta in big fancy SUVs with huge amounts of suitcases clearly leaving over the border. "We've now cancelled the lease anyway and moved into Dubai as our confidence grew about the capability of the amazing air defences this country has." In an interview with Fox News, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham took aim at US allies in the Gulf, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, for not participating in the war against Iran. After UAE asserted it will not let its territory be used for attacks against Iran, Graham said, "This is so disappointing.” “We need partners that will step forward in a fight that we can’t afford to lose,” he said. He added, “To our Arab friends, I’ve tried to help you construct a new Middle East. You need to up your game here.” “To our allies: Step up,” Graham said. “Get our airbases out of Spain. They’re not reliable. Move all those aeroplanes to a country that would let us use them when we’re threatened by a regime like Iran.” According to a recent Khaleej Times report, more than 40,000 flights have been cancelled across the Middle East countries so far. Data shared by aviation analytics company Cirium indicated that more than 72,000 flights were scheduled in and out of the Middle East, but over 40,000 of them have been cancelled since February 28 to March 9. Bahrain's government warned people to move to the nearest "safe place" and remain calm as a new wave of air raid sirens were activated in the country. The UAE government issued a new update, revealing that it intercepted missile and drone threats. In the same message, it warned people to "remain in a safe place" and pay attention to "warnings and updates" while its forces were working to neutralised Iranian threats. “The Ministry of Defence confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, and fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions,” the ministry said in a statement. PM Anthony Albanese said Australia would be deploying a long-range reconnaissance aircraft and sending air-to-air missiles to help Gulf countries defend themselves against Iran's attacks. “The Iranian conflict in the Middle East began just over a week ago, and Iran’s reprisal attacks continue to escalate, already at a scale and depth we haven’t seen before. Twelve countries across the region, from Cyprus through to the Gulf, are continuing to be targeted,” Albanese said in a news conference on Tuesday. The Royal Australian Air Force is now set to send an e7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and supporting personnel to "protect and secure airspace above the Gulf” for the next few weeks. https://twitter.com/defensesignal/status/2031144936339550574 According to Bahrain's Ministry of Interior, an Iranian strike in the country's capital Manama left one person dead and eight more injured. A video of the development geolocated by CNN showed damage on the exterior of the Millennium Tower building. Debris was also spotted on the streets. “A 29-year-old Bahraini woman died and eight people were injured as a result of the blatant Iranian aggression against a residential building” in the capital Manama, the ministry tweeted in the early hours of Tuesday. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson said early Tuesday that its armed forces were "awaiting the US naval fleet in the Strait of Hormuz." The statement also highlighted that ending the war "is in Iran's hands." As reported by state media, Maj. Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini's remarks appear to be a response to Trump's statement about safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz. “The armed forces of the Republic of Iran are awaiting the US naval fleet in the Strait of Hormuz region and are waiting for the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford,” Naeini said. “He has claimed the presence of commercial and military ships in the region and their easy passage through the Strait of Hormuz; while American ships, vessels, and all fighter jets have fled the region and are stationed at a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers to avoid Iran’s powerful missiles and drones,” he added. Etihad Airways has listed flights for March 10, 11 and 12, 2026. As per the new announcement, the airline will operate flights from Abu Dhabi to a range of key destinations. Check the flights operating from Abu Dhabi below: https://twitter.com/etihad/status/2031098157560639669 Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MoI) arrested five people for violating the nationwide ban on drone use and operation. The official statement further warned that any drone use or attempted operation would be seen as a violation and would be met with strict legal action. Kuwait National Guard's official spokesman Brigadier General Dr. Jadaan Fadel Jadaan said it has successfully intercepted 6 drones in the northern and southern sectors of Kuwait. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence issued a news statement, saying that its air defence systems had intercepted two drone targeting its Eastern Region. An official spokesperson confirmed that the drones were detected and successfully intercepted before they reached the intended target. Trump issued a warning to Iran, saying that efforts to block the transit of petroleum through the Strait of Hormuz would be met with a military retaliation "twenty times harder." "If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America twenty times harder than they have been hit thus far," the US President said in a post on Truth Social. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116202054617775180 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday that his country can't stop US forces in Korea from redeploying some weapons amid Iran's retaliatory strikes in West Asia. "It appears that there is ⁠controversy ​recently over U.S. Forces in Korea shipping some weapons, such as artillery batteries and air-defence weapons, out of the country," Lee said in a cabinet meeting, noting while Seoul ​had ​expressed opposition it was not in a ⁠position to make demands. He also noted that the removal of some US weapons from the country "does not hinder deterrence strategy towards North Korea." In early Tuesday morning trading in Asia, global oil prices witnessed a shocking fall. While Brent was down by about 8.5% at $92.50 (£68.85) a barrel. US-traded oil also fell around 9%, to $88.60 a barrel. Despite the little respite after days, the prices are still about 30% higher than where they stood at the start of the conflict. https://twitter.com/OS_Brief/status/2031161623466131836 A release from the UAE suggested that a drone attack targeted its Consulate in Erbil, Iraq. Describing it as an "unprovoked terrorist drone attack," the UAE said that the incident had merely resulted in material damage and no injuries were reported. https://twitter.com/mofauae/status/2031133572644372875 Releasing a new official statement, the Indian airline said, "Air India and Air India Express will together operate 14 flights to and from Jeddah, while Air India Express will be operating 14 flights to and from Muscat on 10 March 2026. "The two carriers are also planning to operate a total of 32 additional non-scheduled flights to and from many destinations in the UAE on 10 March 2026, subject to slot availability, regulatory approvals, and the evolving situation." https://twitter.com/airindia/status/2031048291220418846 Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced several austerity measures, including a cut in government fuel allowances and temporary school closures to conserve fuel amid the escalating conflict. All schools will close for two weeks starting March 16, while higher education institutions will shift to online classes with immediate effect, Sharif said in a televised address. Fuel allowances for government departments will be cut by half, and 50 per cent of government staff will work from home to reduce fuel consumption. He added that all government offices, except banks, will operate four days a week. Kuwait’s Emir has condemned Iran’s attacks on the country, saying Kuwait had been subjected to a “brutal attack” by a neighbouring Muslim country it considers a friend. In a speech, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said Kuwait had not permitted the use of its land, airspace or coasts for any military action against Iran and had repeatedly conveyed this through diplomatic channels. Speaking for the first time since the attacks began on February 28, the emir also asserted Kuwait’s “full and inherent right to self-defence.” The well-being and security of the more than 10 million Indians living and working in the Gulf region is a major concern for the government, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told parliament on Monday. He said India’s diplomatic missions in the region have been assisting citizens with relocation and evacuation efforts, including helping some travel from Iran to neighbouring countries such as Armenia to return home. Jordan News Agency reported that the country expressed its sincerest condolences and sympathy to the UAE after the martyrdom of two members of the UAE Armed Forces. The UAE on Monday that it was being targeted "in a very unwarranted manner" in the Middle East war, stressing it would "not partake in any attacks against Iran". "We've been very clear before and leading up to the current events we are witnessing in the region that as the UAE we will not partake in any attacks against Iran from our territory, and that we will not be involved in such a conflict," the UAE ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Jamal Al Musharakh, told reporters. Lufthansa and Air France on Monday extended the suspension of flights to key destinations in the Middle East as the US-Israeli war on Iran continued into a second week. The German aviation giant said it was cancelling flights to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, until March 15. The group, which also operates Eurowings, Austrian, Swiss and Brussels airlines, said services to Tel Aviv, Israel, were now axed until at least April 2. US Democratic lawmakers on Monday urged the Pentagon to conduct an impartial investigation into a reported attack on a school in Iran that left dozens dead, following allegations that American forces may have been responsible. Iran has accused Israel and the United States of carrying out the strike on an elementary school in the southern city of Minab at the start of the war. Tehran said the blast killed more than 150 people, most of them students. President Donald Trump has blamed Iran, while the Pentagon said it is investigating the incident. In a joint statement, several senior senators said independent analysis suggested the strike may have been carried out by US forces, which, if confirmed, would make it one of the worst cases of civilian casualties in decades of American military action in the Middle East. “The killing of school children is appalling and unacceptable under any circumstance,” they said, adding that the tragedy must be fully and impartially reviewed by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.