The US Defense Secretary said "we'll see in the next few days," and Iran countered by listing 18 US companies as targets.
2026-04-01 09:24:59
U.S. Defense Secretary Hergsays said on Tuesday (March 31) that the war against Iran would be decisive in the coming days and warned Tehran that the conflict would escalate further if no agreement was reached.
US President Trump said on Tuesday that the US military action against Iran is "coming to an end." Hegerseth noted that negotiations are ongoing and making positive progress, but the US is prepared to continue if Iran does not cooperate.
Hegses said he visited U.S. troops in the Middle East last Saturday and indicated that President Trump was willing to reach an agreement with Iran to end the war. He emphasized, "We have more and more options, while they have fewer and fewer... We set the conditions in just one month, and the next few days will be decisive. Iran knows perfectly well that they have virtually no military options left."
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard then threatened to take action against U.S. companies in the Middle East starting Wednesday, listing 18 companies including Microsoft (MSFT.O), Google (GOOGL.O), Apple (AAPL.O), Intel (INTC.O), IBM (IBM.N), Tesla (TSLA.O), and Boeing (BA.N).
In response to Iran's threat to U.S. corporate interests, a White House official stated that the U.S. military is "prepared to deter any attack."
According to Al Jazeera, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi on Tuesday, he has been receiving direct messages from US envoy Witkov, but these do not constitute "negotiations." He added that these messages include threats or exchanges of opinions delivered through "friends."
Iran attacked a crude oil tanker near Dubai on Monday, causing a fire. The fire has been brought under control. This is the latest Iranian attack on merchant ships in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war between the United States and Israel on February 28.
The ongoing attacks and the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with tight global supply, propelled Brent crude oil prices to a record monthly gain of 64% in March, reaching a peak of $119.45 per barrel. During Wednesday's Asian trading session, Brent crude prices fluctuated upwards, currently trading around $105.30 per barrel, a daily increase of approximately 2%.
Oil prices rallied and then retreated on Tuesday, with Brent crude futures settling down more than $3, after unconfirmed media reports that the Iranian president said he was ready to end the war, but needed guarantees.
Earlier unconfirmed media reports claimed that the Iranian president stated Iran was willing to end the war if guarantees were provided.
(Brent crude oil daily chart, source: EasyForex)
On Monday, Trump threatened to destroy Iran's energy facilities if it did not agree to a peace deal and open the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, he criticized countries like Britain that had not assisted in the U.S. war effort, posting on social media that these countries should buy energy from the U.S. to address the global fuel shortage, or "have a belated courage and head to the Strait to take it directly."
Sources say France and Italy have expressed their opposition to certain US military actions, highlighting divisions among NATO allies . Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday urged Trump to find an "exit route" to end the war, making a rare direct appeal to the president.
The month-long conflict has spread throughout the region, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies, and potentially destabilizing the global economy.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Kaine told reporters in Washington that the United States is further weakening and destroying Iran's military capabilities. He stated that the U.S. military is continuously striking key Iranian manufacturing and research and development facilities and has destroyed more than 150 Iranian naval vessels.
The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it had completed a new round of airstrikes targeting 20 weapons manufacturing sites and a research and development facility in Iran.
Despite heavy attacks from the US and Israel over the past month, Iran has maintained a hardline stance. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have opened fire on Israel, reigniting the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
U.S. Defense Secretary Hergsays explicitly stated that the war against Iran has entered a decisive phase, with the U.S. possessing a significant military advantage, while maintaining an open stance on negotiations. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's direct threats against 18 U.S. companies in the Middle East, including Microsoft, Google, and Apple, indicate a risk of the conflict spreading to the economic and technological sectors.
The attacks continue, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked, oil prices are fluctuating at high levels, and Western allies have rejected Trump's call to seize the strait, highlighting international concerns about the spread of the conflict. The next few days will be a critical window, as progress in negotiations, escalation or de-escalation of military action will directly impact global energy security and geopolitical stability.
At 9:21 Beijing time, Brent crude oil futures were trading at $105.44 per barrel.
US President Trump said on Tuesday that the US military action against Iran is "coming to an end." Hegerseth noted that negotiations are ongoing and making positive progress, but the US is prepared to continue if Iran does not cooperate.
Hegses said he visited U.S. troops in the Middle East last Saturday and indicated that President Trump was willing to reach an agreement with Iran to end the war. He emphasized, "We have more and more options, while they have fewer and fewer... We set the conditions in just one month, and the next few days will be decisive. Iran knows perfectly well that they have virtually no military options left."
Iran threatens to strike US companies in the Middle East
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard then threatened to take action against U.S. companies in the Middle East starting Wednesday, listing 18 companies including Microsoft (MSFT.O), Google (GOOGL.O), Apple (AAPL.O), Intel (INTC.O), IBM (IBM.N), Tesla (TSLA.O), and Boeing (BA.N).
In response to Iran's threat to U.S. corporate interests, a White House official stated that the U.S. military is "prepared to deter any attack."
According to Al Jazeera, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi on Tuesday, he has been receiving direct messages from US envoy Witkov, but these do not constitute "negotiations." He added that these messages include threats or exchanges of opinions delivered through "friends."
As attacks continue, oil prices fluctuate at high levels.
Iran attacked a crude oil tanker near Dubai on Monday, causing a fire. The fire has been brought under control. This is the latest Iranian attack on merchant ships in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war between the United States and Israel on February 28.
The ongoing attacks and the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with tight global supply, propelled Brent crude oil prices to a record monthly gain of 64% in March, reaching a peak of $119.45 per barrel. During Wednesday's Asian trading session, Brent crude prices fluctuated upwards, currently trading around $105.30 per barrel, a daily increase of approximately 2%.
Oil prices rallied and then retreated on Tuesday, with Brent crude futures settling down more than $3, after unconfirmed media reports that the Iranian president said he was ready to end the war, but needed guarantees.
Earlier unconfirmed media reports claimed that the Iranian president stated Iran was willing to end the war if guarantees were provided.
(Brent crude oil daily chart, source: EasyForex)
Western Allies Differences
On Monday, Trump threatened to destroy Iran's energy facilities if it did not agree to a peace deal and open the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, he criticized countries like Britain that had not assisted in the U.S. war effort, posting on social media that these countries should buy energy from the U.S. to address the global fuel shortage, or "have a belated courage and head to the Strait to take it directly."
Sources say France and Italy have expressed their opposition to certain US military actions, highlighting divisions among NATO allies . Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday urged Trump to find an "exit route" to end the war, making a rare direct appeal to the president.
Latest developments in military operations by both sides
The month-long conflict has spread throughout the region, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies, and potentially destabilizing the global economy.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Kaine told reporters in Washington that the United States is further weakening and destroying Iran's military capabilities. He stated that the U.S. military is continuously striking key Iranian manufacturing and research and development facilities and has destroyed more than 150 Iranian naval vessels.
The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it had completed a new round of airstrikes targeting 20 weapons manufacturing sites and a research and development facility in Iran.
Despite heavy attacks from the US and Israel over the past month, Iran has maintained a hardline stance. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have opened fire on Israel, reigniting the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Editor's Summary
U.S. Defense Secretary Hergsays explicitly stated that the war against Iran has entered a decisive phase, with the U.S. possessing a significant military advantage, while maintaining an open stance on negotiations. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's direct threats against 18 U.S. companies in the Middle East, including Microsoft, Google, and Apple, indicate a risk of the conflict spreading to the economic and technological sectors.
The attacks continue, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked, oil prices are fluctuating at high levels, and Western allies have rejected Trump's call to seize the strait, highlighting international concerns about the spread of the conflict. The next few days will be a critical window, as progress in negotiations, escalation or de-escalation of military action will directly impact global energy security and geopolitical stability.
At 9:21 Beijing time, Brent crude oil futures were trading at $105.44 per barrel.
- Risk Warning and Disclaimer
- The market involves risk, and trading may not be suitable for all investors. This article is for reference only and does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account certain users’ specific investment objectives, financial situation, or other needs. Any investment decisions made based on this information are at your own risk.
