Trump says Iran will be hit 'extremely hard' for 2–3 more weeks
The White House framed the push as a path to a 'complete and final' settlement, while Tehran denied any talks and the U.S. suffered its first combat aircraft loss in the conflict. Allies have been reluctant to join a new push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Mar 31, 2026, 1:10 PM EDT
Why it matters:
- Trump’s timeline and rhetoric raise the risk of a wider, longer war and further disruption to global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
- The U.S. is moving to reopen the chokepoint while allies signal they won’t rush to help.
Driving the news:
- Donald Trump said Iran will be hit “extremely hard” for another two to three weeks, adding the U.S. and Iran have had “very fruitful and constructive” talks toward a “complete and final” settlement of hostilities in the Middle East. - He also said the U.S. “doesn’t need” Hormuz oil and urged other countries to mobilize to force Tehran to reopen the strait.
State of play:
- Iran’s state TV said it shot down a second U.S. aircraft, claiming an A-10 was hit by air defenses and crashed into Gulf waters. - The New York Times, citing two U.S. officials, reported a U.S. aircraft crashed near the Strait of Hormuz and its sole pilot was rescued safely.
What they're saying:
- “We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Age,” Trump said, underscoring the intensity of the campaign. - Iran denied any talks with the U.S. and rejected Washington’s claims of constructive discussions.
Reality check:
- Allies have been cool to Trump’s call for help to reopen Hormuz, with the UK and Germany ruling out an NATO mission and Japan and Australia excluding deployments to the strait. - The U.S. suffered its first combat aircraft loss in the conflict, underscoring the risks of escalation.
What to watch:
- Whether the U.S. and partners move to escort or secure shipping through Hormuz in the coming weeks.
- Any further U.S. strikes and whether Tehran escalates in response.
- Signs of renewed diplomatic contact after Trump’s claim of “constructive” talks.
The bottom line:
- Trump is betting on sustained pressure to force a deal — and to reopen the world’s most critical oil chokepoint — while allies hold back.