Iran War Day 33: Trump Says Conflict Nearing Completion as Hormuz Stays Shut and Casualties Mount

WASHINGTON / TEHRAN — On the 33rd day of joint US-Israeli military strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump told the American public that the war is "nearing completion" while simultaneously threatening to strike Iran "extremely hard" if Tehran does not agree to terms. Trump's nationally televised address, delivered late Tuesday night, painted an optimistic picture of military progress — but the humanitarian and economic toll of the conflict continued to mount on Wednesday as the Strait of Hormuz remained shut to commercial traffic for a fifth straight week.

The Iranian Red Crescent reported that more than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran since the strikes began, with an additional 21,000 wounded. US and Israeli forces have bombed energy infrastructure across the country; the Mobarakeh Steel Complex — one of Iran's largest industrial facilities — has had services "completely halted," according to Iranian state media. In Israel, missiles launched by Iran during Passover celebrations struck near Tel Aviv overnight, wounding 14 people including an 11-year-old child. In the Gulf region, Qatar's Defense Ministry reported downing two Iranian cruise missiles Wednesday, though a third struck a QatarEnergy-flagged tanker; the UAE reported one fatality from intercepted drone shrapnel.

"We're going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong," Trump said in his address, warning that any further Iranian aggression would be met with overwhelming force. The statement drew sharp condemnation from European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron called it "unrealistic" for Trump to urge NATO allies to seize the Strait of Hormuz by force, and the United Kingdom hosted separate talks with 35 nations to discuss the Strait's future — notably without American participation.

The economic consequences are accelerating. The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately one-fifth of the world's crude oil supply, and its effective closure has driven oil prices sharply higher. The International Rescue Committee warned that continued disruption has created a "food security timebomb" that could cause a spike in global hunger by June, as fuel prices raise the cost of food production and transport across the developing world. Dow futures fell 670 points in premarket trading following Trump's speech, before markets partially recovered.

The conflict's reach extends beyond the Gulf. The US Embassy in Baghdad ordered all American citizens to evacuate immediately, citing threats from Iran-aligned militia groups expected within 24 to 48 hours. Journalist Shelly Kittleson was reported abducted in Iraq amid the security vacuum. The Financial Times reported that Trump has privately threatened to halt all remaining US military aid to Ukraine unless European allies agree to support American efforts to reopen the Strait — a significant geopolitical escalation that could affect the course of the Russia-Ukraine war simultaneously.