【Iran Crisis】 Several oil tankers approach the strait attempting to breach the passage; Iran issues warnings. Trump press conference: Iran's war will end soon but refuses to commit to a timeline (updating).

Oil prices plummeted by 10%. Brent crude fell 9% to $90.3, and NYMEX crude dropped 8% to $87. Reports indicate large-scale strikes erupted in Tehran and Karaj, with Isfahan and Tabriz also reporting protests. Tehran experienced widespread power outages.

After Trump’s speech, according to shipping sources, several oil tankers approached the Strait of Hormuz, seemingly attempting to breach the passage. Trump stated that the U.S. military has deployed strong forces and mine-clearing equipment in the Strait, and if necessary, will provide “political risk insurance” and escort commercial ships personally. He emphasized that Iran will not be allowed to cut off global oil supplies.

According to semi-official Iranian media Fars News Agency, a senior Iranian military official warned, “Until further notice, we will not allow a single liter of oil to be exported to hostile parties and their allies.”

🔴 An senior Iranian military official told Al Mayadeen: “Until further notice, we will not allow a single liter of oil to be exported in the region to hostile parties and their partners.” — Fars News Agency (@FarsNews_Agency) March 9, 2026

Trump held a press conference, refusing to promise an end to the war “within days or this week,” but stressing it will be “very quick.” He pointed out that Iran’s military assets—including navy, air force, radar, and leadership—have been almost entirely destroyed, so the operation will not take long. He claimed the current military progress surpasses expectations, with progress that would have taken a month now achieved ahead of schedule.

He announced that Iran’s military has been heavily damaged, with 51 naval vessels sunk, drone manufacturing facilities destroyed, and missile capabilities reduced to below 10%. Over 5,000 targets have been struck, including high-value strategic sites, with the highest leadership eliminated two to three times. Iran’s secret underground nuclear facilities have been destroyed to prevent nuclear armament.

He stated that Iran’s power grid and critical infrastructure remain intact as leverage; any retaliation would lead to catastrophic consequences. He claimed the most dangerous phase of the war ended within three days.

He expressed hope that Iran will nominate a new leader willing to pursue peace. He expressed disappointment that Iran’s Supreme Leader is the son of Khamenei.

He emphasized that securing the Strait is mainly to stabilize the global economy, explicitly noting that this action helps countries like China that rely on the passage. “I want to keep it open. I want to keep it good. You know, it doesn’t affect us as much as it does China. We’re actually helping China and other countries because they get much of their energy from the strait. But we have good relations with China. I’m proud to do this.”

Conference Highlights:

“Over the past weekend, U.S. military and Israeli forces continued to execute Operation Epic Fury successfully. Over nine days, we launched the most powerful and complex military strikes and tactical exercises ever seen. When you add these actions to our other achievements—such as Operation Midnight Hammer, which eliminated Iran’s nuclear threat entirely, and our successes in Venezuela and elsewhere—we have achieved enormous victories everywhere.”

“While advancing these operations, we also made significant progress on military objectives. Some might say these goals are already quite fulfilled. We have thoroughly and completely eliminated every armed force inside Iran. Most of their navy has been sunk—dropped to the bottom of the sea. I just received reports that 51 ships have been destroyed. I didn’t even know they had so many ships, but they didn’t last long. These are combat vessels meant for fighting, but they are no match for us.”

"We continue to target Iran’s drone and missile capabilities. Their drone numbers have been drastically reduced. Their drone manufacturing plants are under full attack from today. We have seized all their drone production sites and are destroying them one by one. Their missile capabilities have dropped to about 10%, possibly less. We have also precisely targeted their missile manufacturing and transportation facilities. So far, we have struck over 5,000 targets, including very strategic ones. But we are holding back some of the most critical targets for future use. If we hit those, they would need years to rebuild, affecting power generation and many other vital infrastructures. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, we do not plan to strike them now. These