US–Israel War on Iran, Day 33: Trump says conflict could end in 'two weeks, maybe three'; Kuwait airport hit by drone attacks
Israeli army said it had struck a senior commander and another 'terrorist' from Hezbollah
US President Donald Trump signalled Tuesday that US military operations in Iran could wrap up within weeks, saying forces would leave "very soon" while insisting they were "finishing the job." The security situation remains volatile; early Wednesday, a tanker was struck by a projectile off the coast of Doha, causing hull damage but no casualties. This follows drone strikes that ignited fuel storage tanks at Kuwait International Airport and targeted industrial facilities in Bahrain. Follow our live blog for the latest updates.
The Israeli military said its air defences responded to a missile attack from Iran on Wednesday, with warning sirens activated across central Israel.
"A short while ago, the IDF (army) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," a military statement said.
Dubai gold prices moved higher on Wednesday morning, extending a short rebound after a sharp correction through March. The uptick follows the metal’s worst monthly performance since 2008, with prices still below mid-month peaks despite recent gains. Buyers in the UAE are returning cautiously, watching global cues, including interest rate expectations and easing geopolitical tensions, before making fresh purchases.
Authorities in Fujairah confirmed that one person was killed after debris from an intercepted drone fell on a farm in the Al-Rifa’a area, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
The Fujairah Government Media Office said UAE air defence systems successfully intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the emirate. Following the interception and debris landed on a farm in Al-Rifa’a.
A Bengali national died as a result of the incident, authorities said.
The Israeli military said air defences responded early Wednesday to a missile launched from Yemen, where Iran's Houthi allies have claimed attacks on Israel in recent days.
A military statement said Israeli forces had "identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defence systems are operating to intercept the threat", later announcing that residents were "permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas of the country".
Iran's state broadcaster IRIB said areas in northern, eastern and central Tehran were under attack on Wednesday.
The broadcaster said on Telegram that explosions were heard in the capital's north, east and centre, reporting "attacks on Tehran" without immediately providing more details.
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Bahrain’s civil defence teams have been deployed to extinguish a fire in a facility of a company as a result of Iranian missile and drone attacks. Relevant authorities are taking their measures at the site.
Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority said on Wednesday that Kuwait International Airport had been targeted in a drone attack, which struck fuel storage tanks and triggered a major fire. No casualties were reported.
Abdullah Al Rajhi, official spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority, said the attack was carried out by Iran and its-backed armed groups, describing it as a “blatant assault” on the airport.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced the interception and destruction of two drones during the past hours. The statement was made by Major General Turki Al-Malki, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
A tanker has been hit by a projectile in the Gulf, off the coast of Qatar's capital Doha, a British maritime security agency said Wednesday, reporting some damage but no casualties.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations said it had received a report of an incident 17 nautical miles (31 kilometres) north of Doha that a "tanker has been hit by unknown projectile on the port side causing damage to the hull above water line. The crew are reported as safe."
It added there was "no environmental impact" and that authorities were investigating the incident.
Nikos Dendias, Greece's Minister of National Defence, has expressed his country's full solidarity with the UAE following Iran's unprovoked, terrorist missile attacks.
Dendias discussed with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the repercussions of Iran's attacks targeting the UAE and several countries in the region.
The Israeli army said Wednesday it had "struck a senior commander" and another "terrorist" from Hezbollah in Beirut. "A short while ago, in two separate strikes in the Beirut area, the IDF struck a senior Hezbollah commander and an additional senior terrorist," the Israeli Defence Forces said, adding that the second person was also a Hezbollah member.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that US forces would end operations in Iran "very soon," as his administration pursues talks with Iranian authorities while continuing its aerial campaign.
Trump says war with Iran could end in "two weeks, maybe three".
Asked during a White House event about the impact of high fuel prices since the start of the war on February 28, Trump said that: "All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll become tumbling down. But we're finishing the job, and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer," US forces will leave, he added.
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The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it is enhancing air defence support to Gulf partners amid ongoing regional tensions. The announcement details new deployments of UK air defence systems and personnel, successful defensive actions against Iranian drones, and continued multinational air operations.
Explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus as Israeli air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles, Reuters reported, quoting Syrian state TV.
The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF)–Arab Army announced Iran targeted the Kingdom's territory with four missiles in the past 24 hours. A spokesperson for Public Security Directorate (PSD) also announced the relevant units responded to 17 reports of falling debris and projectiles in the past 24 hours. The spokesperson noted no injuries resulted from these incidents, though some material damage occurred.
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