Trump Vows to “Finish the Job” in Iran as War Escalates

US President Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to ongoing military operations in Iran, stating the US must “finish the job” despite claiming a “win” in the conflict. His remarks came during a rally in Kentucky on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.

Escalating Conflict and Oil Market Disruptions

The conflict, initiated by a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28th, has resulted in over 1,300 fatalities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei according to reports. The war has significantly impacted global oil markets, with prices climbing 38 cents in the last week and 64 cents in the last month due to the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for 20% of the world’s oil supply, and retaliatory attacks on neighboring oil facilities.

Recent Developments

• Oman Fire: Emergency crews are battling a fire at the fuel storage tanks of the Port of Salalah in Oman, potentially caused by an Iranian Shahed drone as reported by CNN.
• Israel Strikes Beirut: Israel launched “large-scale” strikes on Beirut’s suburbs following rocket attacks from Hezbollah, with the Israeli military claiming over 100 rockets were fired.
• War Costs: Preliminary estimates suggest the war has cost the US at least $11 billion in the first six days according to a Pentagon briefing to lawmakers.
• UN Condemnation: The UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding Iran cease its attacks on Gulf countries.
• US Evacuations Scaled Back: The US State Department is reducing charter flight options for evacuations due to low demand.
• Iraq Warning: The US Embassy in Baghdad warned of potential attacks by Iran and its proxies on US-owned oil and energy infrastructure.
• GOP Criticism: Senator Lisa Murkowski publicly criticized Trump’s handling of the war, calling for public hearings and citing confusion caused by mixed messaging.
• Iran Controls Strait: Iranian oil producers are increasing crude loadings in the Strait of Hormuz, while other global oil tankers remain stalled in the Persian Gulf.

Trump’s Stance and Future Plans

Trump asserted that the US military has “virtually destroyed Iran” over the past 11 days, but emphasized the need to continue operations until the “job is finished.” He referenced a previous operation, “Midnight Hammer,” which he believed had temporarily neutralized Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but stated renewed activity necessitated the current war. He too declined to comment on plans to assassinate the modern Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei according to reports.

The President warned against the possibility of a future “weak, pathetic” leader, like former President Barack Obama, potentially allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons, referencing his decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.