Trump reiterates claim Iran war will end ‘very soon’ as attacks on ships intensify
US President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that the war on Iran will end “very soon”, despite an increase in attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump said Washington had taken “total control” of the strategic waterway and claimed Iran had lost its navy, air force, radar systems, and air defences.
“Their first level leaders are gone. They picked a second level. Their second level leaders have gone. They picked the third level. Half of them are gone, they made me promise not to take out anymore. And I did. I promised them,” he said.
Trump suggested the attacks had complicated negotiations with Tehran: “So I probably went a little too far. I’m sorry, because I don’t know who the hell we’re dealing with anymore.”
Trump acknowledged that the conflict had pushed up fuel prices, but predicted they would fall once fighting ended.
“I knew gasoline would go high, but I had no idea. I thought it was going to go much higher, to be honest with you,” he said, adding that when the war ends, prices will drop “very soon”.
President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Covelli Centre, in Youngstown, Ohio, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. [Gene J. Puskar/AP]
Who controls what in Yemen – government and Houthi territorial map
(Al Jazeera)
A recap of recent developments
- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said Tehran will continue to fight until the US accepts its demands, despite insisting it does not seek an endless war.
- Fierce clashes rage between government forces and Houthi fighters on multiple fronts in the city of Taiz, according to a Yemeni military source.
- The Yemeni army claims over 200 Houthi fighters are killed or injured in ongoing battles in the south-western province of Taiz.
- The EU has demanded an immediate end to the Houthi siege on Taiz to ensure vital humanitarian aid reaches the city.
- Oil prices rise after Houthi strikes hit Saudi Aramco and Tehran deploys new tactics against cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- One person is injured by falling debris in Riyadh after Saudi forces intercept a Houthi ballistic missile over the capital.
- US CENTCOM has confirmed the destruction of an Iranian-affiliated vessel on 6 October for conducting surveillance on Navy ships in the Gulf of Oman.
- Amnesty International has warned that civilians must not pay the price for escalating clashes between Houthi forces and the Saudi-led coalition.
Welcome to our coverage
Hello, and welcome to our live coverage of the United States and Israel’s war on Iran.
Stay with us for the latest news and analysis on the conflict and its fallout across the Middle East, including in Yemen.
You can find our updates from Wednesday, October 14, here.
A vessel transits the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Khor Fakkan in the emirate of Sharjah in the east of the UAE on October 13, 2026. [AFP]
