LIVE UPDATES: Conflict in the Middle East (April 2, 2026)

Dozens of international law experts in the U.S. have signed an open letter saying that American strikes on Iran may amount to https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/world/982452/us-experts-say-american-strikes-on-iran-may-amount-to-war-crimes/story/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/world/982452/us-experts-say-american-strikes-on-iran-may-amount-to-war-crimes/story/war crimes, after President Donald Trump reiterated his threats this week to strike Iran's power and desalination plants.

Trump, who has previously offered shifting timelines and objectives for the war, said in a televised speech on Wednesday that the war could escalate if Iran did not give in to Washington's terms, with strikes on its energy and oil infrastructure possible.

Over 100 international law experts in the U.S., including from schools like Harvard, Yale, Stanford and the University of California, said in the letter released on Thursday that the conduct of U.S. forces and statements by senior U.S. officials "raise serious concerns about violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes."

Israel said it came under Iranian missile fire on Thursday after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb the Islamic republic into the "Stone Ages" with heavy strikes in the next two to three weeks

In a speech from the White House, Trump sought to reassure war-weary Americans that the military campaign that began on February 28 was coming to an end, vowing "extremely hard" strikes against Iran.

"Thanks to the progress we've made, I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly, very shortly," Trump said.

HONG KONG — The dollar advanced against major currencies on Thursday, reversing two days of losses, after US President Donald Trump's address on Iran shattered hopes for a possible ceasefire in the Middle East conflict that has rattled investors and roiled markets.

In Trump's national address, the president said conflict in Iran would soon be ending, but the US military would continue to hit targets there over the next two to three weeks.

SINGAPORE — Markets recoiled on Thursday as war jitters over Iran deepened, with stocks sliding, oil surging and the dollar firming after US President Donald Trump dashed hopes for clarity on when the Middle East conflict might end.

Trump said in a prime-time address that the US would hit Iran "extremely hard" within weeks, claiming military goals were nearly achieved and the conflict was close to ending.

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump told the nation in a televised speech on Wednesday night that the US military had nearly completed the goals it had set out to accomplish in its war with Iran and that the conflict would soon be ending.

Trump, facing a war-wary American public and sliding approval ratings, said the US had destroyed Iran's navy and air force, and crippled its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

He added that the US would continue to hit targets in the Islamic Republic over the next two to three weeks.

"Tonight, I'm pleased to say these core strategic objectives are nearing completion," he said.

"We are going to finish the job, and we're going to finish it very fast. We're getting very close."

WASHINGTON - Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran's president had asked for a ceasefire but insisted the Islamic republic must first reopen the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a national address expected to touch on the state of the war.

Tehran flatly denied that President Masoud Pezeshkian had sought a truce with Washington, and announced on Wednesday evening another barrage of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases in the Gulf.

NEW YORK/LONDON - Global stocks rallied and oil futures retreated on Wednesday on hopes of a de-escalation in the Iran war.

The U.S. dollar softened against a basket of other currencies, while U.S. Treasury yields rose from their lows after a pair of reports underscored resilience in the U.S. economy.

Amid the conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reminded overseas Filipino workers in the Gulf region to be vigilant and verify any information that they share on social media.

This is because sharing fake news may lead to serious consequences in some nations in the Middle East, the DMW said in an advisory.