US/Israel-Iran War (Day 33): Trump says war to end in 2-3 weeks

Thousands of people have been killed in the Middle East, and an even higher number injured or displaced across Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and other parts of the region in the month-long war.

Attacks on major gas facilities in four Middle Eastern countries have worsened the economic impact of the United States/Israel war on Iran.

The war entered a new month and its 33rd day on Monday (today).

PREMIUM TIMES brings you the key events around the war on the 32nd day.

Trump says war to end in 2-3 weeks

The US President, Donald Trump, said the war with Iran could wrap up within two or three weeks.

While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he also said a formal deal isn’t needed to end the war, which has already killed over 2,000 people in five weeks.

“Iran doesn’t have to make a deal, no,” he said and added that the US would be “leaving very soon … maybe two weeks, maybe three.”

“When we feel that they are, for a long period of time, put into the Stone Ages and they won’t be able to come up with a nuclear weapon, then we’ll leave,” he said.

When asked about gas prices coming down, Mr Trump said, “All I have to do is leave Iran, and we’ll be doing that very soon.”

Kuwait airport attacked

An Iranian drone struck a fuel tank in Kuwait and caused a major fire.

This is the latest of many attacks targeting the airport and its fuel storage facilities since the start of the war.

The attack caused serious damage to the airport’s fuel tanks. These tanks belong to the Kuwait Aviation Fuelling Company, according to a spokesperson for the civil aviation authority.

However, no casualties were reported.

Iran says it has no faith in talks with the US

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he has no faith in talks with Israel.

Mr Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Iran is in contact with US special envoy Steve Wikoff, but that this does not translate to negotiations with the country.

In the last week, Iran has repeatedly denied Mr Trump’s claim of an ongoing negotiation. Mr Araghchi stated that Iran cannot trust the US, as it has never had a good experience negotiating with them.

He cited the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as an example of their unreliability.

“We do not have any faith that negotiations with the US will yield any results. The trust level is at zero. We don’t see honesty.

“I receive messages from [US special envoy Steve] Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations,” he said.

“There is no truth to the claim of negotiations with any party in Iran. All messages are conveyed through the Foreign Ministry or received by it, and there are communications between security agencies,” he added.

Israel to demolish homes of displaced people in Lebanon

Israel, on Tuesday, disclosed that it plans to destroy all homes near the border in southern Lebanon where the residents have fled due to attacks.

Jerusalem has said the 600,000 people who fled the south will not be allowed to return until Israel is secure.

Reuters reports that the Defence Minister, Israel Katz, vowed to inflict Gaza-like destruction in the area.

He also said the country plans to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon and maintain control over a large part of the territory up to the Litani River even after the war.

China and Pakistan introduce 5-point peace plan

Pakistan and China, on Tuesday, also released a 5-point plan which is expected to help end the war in the Middle East.

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The release of the plan follows a one-day meeting between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

A key element of the proposal focuses on maintaining stability in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.

China and Pakistan warned that continued disruptions could have serious economic consequences worldwide.

The proposal urged respect for national sovereignty, protection of civilians and critical infrastructure such as nuclear facilities, and the need to maintain stability and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.