Trump said that the military operation against Iran is

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Trump Says He Will “Modestly” Draw Down Strategic Petroleum Reserves to Ease Rising Oil Prices. Iran Announces Shift from “Reciprocal Counterstrikes” to “Serial Strikes”; U.S. Navy Has “Fled” Waters Near Iran; Confirms Attacks on Two Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Reiterating U.S. and Its Allies Have No Right of Passage. UK Reports Three Ships Attacked Wednesday in the Strait and Nearby Iranian Waters; Macron Says Coordinating Strait Escorts Will Take Weeks, G7 to Organize Oil Reserve Releases in Coming Days; Trump Downplays Mine-Laying Threat in the Strait, Claims U.S. Has Nearly Destroyed All Iranian Mine-Laying Vessels; U.S. Military Threatens Strikes on Iranian Civilian Ports Used for Military Purposes. Preliminary U.S. Military Investigation Finds “Friendly Fire” Hit Iranian School; White House Says Probe Remains Ongoing.

The U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran has entered its 12th day, with intensifying rivalry over battlefield dynamics, strategic intent, and control of key maritime chokepoints.

According to CCTV News, U.S. President Trump stated on Wednesday, March 11 (local time), that “there are almost no targets left to strike in Iran” and that U.S. military operations against Iran are “coming to an end.” This statement sharply diverges from recent messaging from U.S. and Israeli officials. CCTV noted that U.S. and Israeli officials have said they have received no internal orders to halt military operations. Israeli Defense Minister Katz said the same day that the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran “has no time limit—we will continue until we achieve all our objectives.”

Later Wednesday, Trump reaffirmed the war would end soon but offered no timeline, instead saying “we are not finished yet” and that the U.S. must continue “the same actions.” He hinted at additional strikes on Iranian targets, saying the U.S. could strike more if it chose, and downplayed the mine-laying threat in the Strait of Hormuz, stating he did not believe Iran was laying mines and that the U.S. had nearly destroyed all of Iran’s mine-laying vessels.

After U.S. markets closed Wednesday, Trump told CCTV he would tap U.S. strategic petroleum reserves to ease oil prices spiking due to the Iran war, saying: “We will draw it down modestly, and that will bring oil prices down.”

On the same day, Iran issued tough signals: IRGC Deputy Commander Fadavi warned the U.S. risks a “protracted war of attrition” that could collapse the U.S. and global economies; Iran’s armed forces announced abandoning the “reciprocal counterstrike” strategy in favor of “serial strikes,” and reiterated that the U.S. and its allies have lost the right to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

In response to the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced a record release of 400 million barrels of strategic petroleum reserves, aimed at “offsetting supply losses from the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz” to stabilize global energy markets. French President Macron said after a G7 leaders’ call that the group would organize reserve releases in the coming days, coordinating naval escorts for vessels in the Strait would take weeks, and the Iran war required clear military and political objectives.

According to CCTV, Macron said the Strait of Hormuz has become a “battlefield,” and the G7 held talks Wednesday on mechanisms to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime security. The shipping disruption has affected roughly one-third of global fertilizer trade, requiring close monitoring of impacts on agricultural production. UK Prime Minister Starmer said after the G7 meeting that nations must cooperate to address the conflict’s economic fallout and reaffirmed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait.

According to Xinhua News Agency, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday Iran is using civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz for military purposes and threatened strikes on those ports. Iran’s military responded that all regional ports would become Iran’s “legitimate targets” in that event.

European Commission President von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the U.S.-Israeli-Iran conflict has sent European oil and gas prices soaring, costing Europeans an extra €3 billion in energy imports to date. The Commission is evaluating measures to lower energy bills, including a natural gas price cap.

Trump Claims Iran Campaign “Far Ahead of Schedule”; U.S.-Israeli Officials Do Not Echo

Trump said Wednesday, March 11: “Anytime I want it [the military campaign] to end, it ends. We are far ahead of schedule. We have inflicted more damage than we initially expected,” according to Xinhua, citing U.S. media.

However, this claim has not been echoed within the U.S. and Israeli governments. CCTV News reported that U.S. and Israeli officials have stated they have received no internal orders to halt military operations.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz told a meeting at IDF headquarters Wednesday that Israel’s military campaign against Iran “will continue indefinitely.” He set no explicit military objectives, instead pinning Iran’s future on its people: “It is ultimately up to the Iranian people. We should continue so that they can rise up and overthrow this regime.”

When asked about reports from the Israeli opposition, he replied: “I do not know about this,” offering no further comment.

CCTV noted earlier reports that the elementary school airstrike killed over 165 people, mostly children. Separately, Iran’s education minister said Wednesday that U.S.-Israeli strikes have killed 206 students and teachers and injured 161 to date.

Italian Prime Minister Meloni condemned the school attack as a “massacre” and called for a swift investigation to identify those responsible. She emphasized that civilians, including children, must be protected during ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations in Iran, adding that Italy is providing air defense assistance to Gulf states but will not participate in military action against Iran.

Iran’s government released high-definition video of missile fragments from the school attack, clearly showing serial numbers, origin, and manufacturer markings on components. Iran has repeatedly held the U.S. and Israel responsible. Additionally, the governor of Isfahan Province said Israeli strikes on historical sites in the region constitute “cultural genocide.”

U.S. Military Says It Has Struck Over 5,500 Iranian Targets; Reports Say At Least 17 U.S. Facilities Damaged by Iranian Attacks

U.S. Central Command Commander Cooper said in a video statement that U.S. forces have struck over 5,500 targets inside Iran, including more than 60 vessels and numerous ballistic missile and drone-related facilities, aiming to degrade Iran’s ability to conduct military operations against the U.S. and its allies.

Since the conflict began, at least 17 U.S. military bases and other facilities have been damaged in Iranian attacks, with some sites hit multiple times, Xinhua reported, citing U.S. media.

Iran has launched thousands of missiles and drones at U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Most were intercepted, but at least 11 bases were struck, including Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Camp Buehring in Kuwait, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. U.S. embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and the consulate in Dubai, UAE, were attacked and temporarily closed.

U.S. congressional officials disclosed that a Pentagon assessment found a single strike on the U.S. 5th Fleet service center in Bahrain caused roughly $200 million in damage.

U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson Sean Parnell said about 140 U.S. service members have been injured, including 8 critically, since large-scale U.S. military operations against Iran began on February 28.

Reactions from Iraq and Other Parties

Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani told Iranian President Pezeshkian in a phone call that attacks on Iraqi territory are “unacceptable” and undermine Iraq’s efforts to end the conflict and restore dialogue. He reiterated Iraq will not allow any party to use its territory as a launchpad for attacks on Iran.

Sudani said Iraq opposes and condemns the “unjust war” against Iran and reaffirmed its commitment to regional security and stability, Xinhua reported.

Russian President Putin held a phone call with Iranian President Pezeshkian to discuss the Middle East situation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova said an airstrike on the Isfahan provincial government building damaged the nearby Russian Consulate General in Isfahan, knocking several staff to the ground by the shockwave, with no fatalities or serious injuries. Russia demands strict respect for the inviolability of diplomatic missions.

U.S. media reported, citing sources, that Russia is providing Iran with specific drone tactical advice.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney said Canada is not participating in U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran and “will never do so.” North Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson “strongly condemned” the “illegal military attacks” by the U.S. and Israel. UNESCO issued a statement calling for maximum restraint and protection of people and cultural heritage.

G7 leaders held a phone call Wednesday to discuss the latest Middle East developments and economic impacts, CCTV reported, citing UK Prime Minister’s Office. Prime Minister Starmer said nations must cooperate to address the conflict’s economic fallout, welcomed the IEA’s reserve release decision, and reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

On a separate note, Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said Wednesday that given the current situation, the Iranian national team “has no conditions to participate in the World Cup” and “will absolutely not compete.” However, multiple sources said it remains unclear if this is Iran’s final decision. Earlier, FIFA President Infantino said Trump reaffirmed in a meeting that Iran’s team is welcome to compete in the U.S.

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