Trump Says Iran Does Not Need to Make Deal as Iranian Missile Strikes Qatari Oil Tanker Amid Widening Regional Conflict

In a dramatic shift in wartime rhetoric, US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a formal deal with Tehran is no longer a prerequisite for ending the current conflict, suggesting American operations could wrap up in "two to three weeks."

This declaration comes as the Gulf faces a severe security crisis following an Iranian cruise missile strike on a commercial oil tanker in Qatari waters and a devastating drone attack on Kuwait’s primary aviation hub.

The Qatari Defense Ministry confirmed that the Aqua 1, a fuel oil tanker leased by state-owned QatarEnergy, was struck 17 nautical miles north of the Ras Laffan industrial hub. While Qatari forces intercepted two other missiles, the third caused hull damage above the waterline. No casualties were reported among the 21-person crew, and authorities have ruled out immediate environmental damage, though the strike sent shockwaves through global energy markets.

Diplomacy at "Zero Trust"

Despite President Trump’s optimistic timeline, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that the "trust level is at zero." While Araghchi confirmed receiving direct messages from US envoy Steve Witkoff, he adamantly denied that any formal negotiations are underway.

“The US messages are received, but we don’t see honesty,” Araghchi stated, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to any nation at war with Iran. He further warned that Tehran is "even better" prepared for a ground war should the US choose to escalate.

Regional Infrastructure Under Fire

The strike on Qatar was part of a broader, coordinated wave of attacks targeting critical infrastructure across the Gulf:

Kuwait: A "blatant" Iranian drone attack ignited a massive fire at fuel storage tanks at Kuwait International Airport. Emergency teams are currently battling the blaze, which has caused significant material damage.
UAE: Falling shrapnel from an intercepted drone killed a Bangladeshi national in Fujairah, marking a rare civilian fatality in the Emirates.
Bahrain & Saudi Arabia: Both nations reported fires and intercepted projectiles overnight, with Bahraini officials citing "Iranian aggression" at a local business facility.

In the UAE, the head of ADNOC characterized the strikes as "global economic extortion," noting that the disruption is already causing food and fuel prices to surge across Europe and Asia.

The "Two-Week" Deadline: Trump to Address the Nation

From the Oval Office, President Trump signaled that the US objective is focused on neutralizing Iran's immediate military capabilities rather than securing a long-term diplomatic pact. "Iran doesn’t have to make a deal, no," Trump told reporters, adding that "we’ll be leaving very soon" once specific objectives are met.

The White House has scheduled a prime-time address for 9 PM (01:00 GMT) tonight to provide an "important update" on the war. This follows a recent $4 billion emergency military aid package for Israel and ongoing threats to target Iran's primary oil hub at Kharg Island.

The Human and Economic Toll

As the war enters its second month, the consequences are being felt globally:

Logistics Crisis: Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd warned that even a ceasefire would not immediately fix global supply chains, noting that the "logistical war" will continue for months.
Internet Blackout: Iran remains under a 33-day near-total internet blackout, with connectivity at less than 1% as the government widens its crackdown on satellite communication.
Israel Under Fire: On the eve of Passover, coordinated missile and drone strikes from Iran and Hezbollah hit central Israel. In Bnei Brak, two children remain in critical condition following hits from cluster munitions.

A Search for Security

In London, UK PM Keir Starmer addressed a 35-nation coalition focused on Gulf maritime security, insisting the UK would not be "dragged into" a ground war while emphasizing the need for a free flow of energy.