Trump news highlights: After Trump's speech, UK gathers over 30 nations to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Trump's speech on Iran war highlights: Updates to this live blog have ended.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: India participates in a UK-led effort to explore ways to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed. The move comes after President Trump’s speech, which offered no clear plan to reopen the vital waterway.

Vikram Misri, India’s top diplomat, represented the country in the first round of talks with over 40 nations, including the UAE, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan. “India continues to call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority,” said ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: A prolonged war with Iran could weigh heavily on President Trump and the Republican Party ahead of November’s midterm elections, as polls show many Americans disapprove of the conflict.

Trump urged citizens to “keep this conflict in perspective,” comparing it to World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Iraq, noting the Iran war had lasted just over a month. Yet his mixed messages, promising a quick resolution while making further threats, contrast with grim realities: more than 5,000 people have died so far, nearly three-quarters in Iran, with over 1,300 fatalities reported in Lebanon amid fighting with Iran-allied Hezbollah.

(Bloomberg)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Ahead of US President Trump’s speech, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took the unusual step of addressing Americans directly in a letter published on X. He stressed that Iran “has no enmity with the United States” and warned that “continuing along the path of confrontation is more costly and futile than ever before.”

Pezeshkian also criticized US strikes on Iranian infrastructure, saying attacks on energy and industrial sites “directly targeted the Iranian people,” highlighting Tehran’s appeal for de-escalation even as tensions mount.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Markets slid sharply after US President Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran “extremely hard over the next two to three weeks”. The S&P 500 fell 1.1%, Dow Jones dropped over 500 points, and Nasdaq slipped 1.6%, with losses seen across global markets.

The biggest trigger was oil, with US crude surging nearly 12% to above $110 per barrel as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz intensified. Travel stocks took a hit, while energy companies gained.

(AP)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Ross Maxwell of VT Markets said investors are reacting cautiously to US President Donald Trump’s statements, noting, “With much of what Trump has said, it’s something to take with a pinch of salt… We’re seeing that reflected in the markets too.” He added that while global indices are down around 10%, “the moves have been relatively controlled” with no panic selling.

Maxwell said markets are treating the conflict as short-term for now, with uncertainty over long-term damage. “Investors haven’t priced in worst-case scenarios yet,” he said, adding that energy is the biggest concern. “Risk-off sentiment is there… but markets are waiting to see how far this escalates and how quickly it ends.”

(ANI)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Missile attacks from Iran continued through the night, with explosions heard in Dubai just before Trump’s address and fresh interceptions reported in Israel and Bahrain shortly after he finished speaking. Sirens rang out across the region.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: With the strait largely blocked, countries are scrambling for alternatives. Saudi Arabia is rerouting oil via the Red Sea, while Iraq has begun trucking oil across Syria.

The disruption is also affecting jet fuel supplies, with ripple effects expected across global travel and logistics.

This comes after US President Donald Trump signalled that securing the strait is not America's responsibility.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Iran fired fresh missiles at Israel and Gulf countries, showing it retains strike capability even as US President Donald Trump claimed Tehran is “really no longer a threat.” Explosions were reported in Dubai, Israel and Bahrain as air defences intercepted incoming attacks.

(AP)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Global markets tumbled after US President Donald Trump signalled continued escalation in the Iran war. US futures slid sharply, with S&P 500 down 1.7% and Nasdaq 100 off 2.1%, while stocks across Europe and global indices also declined.

The biggest impact was seen in energy, with crude oil jumping nearly 10% to above $110 a barrel, raising fears of prolonged supply disruption. Bonds fell, the dollar strengthened, and gold dropped as investors braced for higher inflation and fewer rate cuts. Analysts warned the situation remains highly uncertain, with markets now caught between risks of further escalation and a possible de-escalation.

(Bloomberg)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Gold prices fell sharply after US President Donald Trump signalled continued strikes on Iran, dampening hopes of a quick end to the war. Spot gold dropped around 3%, while futures slid 3.6%, pulling back after hitting a two-week high just a day earlier.

The decline came as oil prices jumped nearly 8%, triggering inflation concerns and reducing expectations of US rate cuts. As a result, investors moved away from gold, with analysts noting that “as oil prices go up… inflationary concerns rise,” making gold less attractive compared to a stronger dollar and rising bond yields.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Countries are holding discussions on securing the Strait of Hormuz amid growing fears that Iran could maintain a stranglehold over global energy supplies after demonstrating its ability to disrupt tanker movement and target Gulf nations hosting US troops, Reuters reported.

While Gulf states say they reserve the right to self-defence, they have so far avoided military retaliation to prevent a wider war. Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament is reviewing a bill to formalise restrictions on vessels from “hostile countries” and potentially introduce tolls for others, signalling a more structured control over the critical route.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Pallavi Guha, Assistant Professor at Towson University, said domestic and economic pressures in the US could influence President Donald Trump’s next moves on the Iran conflict. “Midterm elections pressure, rising gas prices and protests likely to push Trump to weigh quicker end to war,” she said, speaking to PTI.

Her remarks come as Trump signalled both escalation and a possible wind-down timeline, with global markets already reacting to rising oil prices and prolonged uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Former Indian Ambassador to the US Arun Singh has cautioned that even if US President Donald Trump declares success in the Iran war, the crisis is far from over. Reacting to Trump’s address, Singh said, “Trump may soon declare victory under domestic and military pressure, but that won’t resolve the deeper conflict.”

His remarks come as Trump continues to project that US objectives are nearly complete while signalling more strikes ahead. Experts warn that despite claims of progress, the ongoing tensions, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and rising global economic impact show the conflict remains unresolved.

(PTI)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has claimed that 7 million Iranians are prepared to take up arms in the event of a US ground invasion.

“You Come for Our Home…You Meet the Whole Family… A powerful national campaign… has brought forward around 7 million Iranians who have already stepped up,” he wrote on X.

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Residents in Tehran have voiced deep concern over US President Donald Trump’s threat to target power plants, warning it could cripple daily life. “I see darker and bitter days if there is no electricity… gas stations and water supply will stop,” said a resident while speaking to AP, adding that even essentials like bread may become hard to access.

Others echoed similar fears about worsening living conditions. Even amid the anxiety, some turned to dark humour, with a barber asking, “How can I run my haircutting machine without electricity?”

(AP)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed by 94% compared to last year, turning one of the world’s busiest energy corridors into a near standstill. The few tankers still passing are largely those carrying Iranian oil, as global shipping avoids the high-risk zone.

Iran has introduced a strict screening system, forcing ships to reroute and share details about cargo, ownership and crew before being allowed through. For consumers, this sharp drop in traffic is a big deal, it disrupts global oil supply, keeps fuel prices high, and could push up everyday costs from transport to groceries.

(AP)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: French President Emmanuel Macron has pushed back against calls to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through military action, saying it’s simply “unrealistic.” The key oil route, through which nearly a fifth of global energy supplies pass, remains disrupted, but Macron warned that using force would take too long and put ships and crews in serious danger from missiles and attacks.

Macron stressed that the only real solution is diplomacy, saying the strait can be reopened “only… in consultation with Iran.”

(Reuters)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Iran has strongly responded to US President Donald Trump’s warning to bomb the country “back to the Stone Age,” saying it will not be pushed back by military force. In a statement, Tehran said, “We are a nation with 7,000 years of civilization. History knows us well… it is YOU who have carried the killing of children and crimes against humanity from the Stone Age into the modern world.”

The sharp exchange comes after Trump said the US would hit Iran “extremely hard” over the next “two to three weeks.” Iranian officials also pushed back militarily, with a senior commander warning the US was “taking your soldiers to their graves,” while another spokesperson said Washington “knows nothing” about Iran’s strategic capabilities, cautioning that such assumptions would “deepen the quagmire.”

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: A growing coalition of 35 countries has signed a joint statement demanding that Iran stop blocking the Strait of Hormuz and pledging support for safe passage through the critical oil route. While we could not obtain the full list of all 35 countries, the confirmed ones include:

1. UK,
2. France,
3. Germany,
4. Italy,
5. Netherlands,
6. Denmark,
7. Norway,
8. Sweden,
9. Finland,
10. Czechia,
11. Romania,
12. Lithuania,
13. Estonia,
14. Latvia,
15. Slovenia,
16. Japan,
17. South Korea,
18. Australia,
19. New Zealand,
20. Canada,
21. Bahrain,
22. United Arab Emirates

(Reuters)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: More than 30 countries are coming together in an urgent push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump signalled that securing the critical oil route is not America’s responsibility, saying nations that rely on it “must grab it and cherish it.” The disruption has already sent oil prices soaring and threatens fuel supply chains that countries like India heavily depend on.

The UK-led effort aims to restore shipping, protect vessels and restart the flow of essential commodities, as attacks in the region have nearly halted traffic through the strait. For everyday consumers, this could mean higher petrol prices, rising inflation, and increased costs across goods and services.

(AP)

Trump's speech on Iran LIVE: HDFC Securities’ Head of Prime Research, Devarsh Vakil said US President Donald Trump’s address has unsettled markets, noting that while Trump claimed military objectives are “nearly complete,” he also indicated a timeline of “2–3 weeks,” suggesting continued action ahead.

He warned that India faces direct risks as a crude-importing nation, calling the Strait of Hormuz disruption “one of the most significant shocks to the global economy in recent times.”

“The current account deficit will widen… putting pressure on domestic inflation,” he said. He noted that markets could stabilise if hostilities ease within weeks and oil prices cool, easing pressure on the rupee.

(ANI)

Trump's speech on Iran LIVE: UK markets slipped on Thursday as optimism over a quick ceasefire in the Middle East faded following US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks signalling more aggressive strikes on Iran. The FTSE 100 fell 0.2%, snapping a three-day winning streak, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.9%, reflecting a broader risk-off sentiment among investors, Reuters reported.

Energy stocks surged as oil prices jumped over 7%, with BP and Shell gaining 4.5% and 3.3% respectively, but losses in other sectors weighed on the market.

Trump's speech on Iran LIVE: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns over the potential fallout of US President Donald Trump’s address, warning that the situation could escalate into a military invasion. He said the crisis has already made it difficult to access commercial gas and cautioned that India could face more challenges if tensions worsen.

Highlighting the risks for Indians abroad, Owaisi pointed to the large number of citizens working in GCC countries and said the situation is “very problematic.” He added that India should push for de-escalation, expressing hope that the Prime Minister would advocate for an end to the war.

(ANI)

Trump's speech on Iran war LIVE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while reacting to developments around US President Donald Trump, claiming India’s decisions are being influenced by Washington.

Addressing rallies in Assam, Gandhi said, “Narendra Modi’s future is in Trump’s hands. Donald Trump controls Narendra Modi.” He further alleged that India now needs US approval for key decisions, stating, “If India wants to buy oil from countries like Russia, Iran or Iraq, it needs permission… We cannot buy without asking.”

(PTI)