US-Iran war Highlights: Trump says Iran ‘trying to survive,’ claims US has ‘total control’

UAE's ministry of defense wrote on X:

"The UAE's air defenses are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks originating from Iran. The Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the UAE's air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

UAE Air Defences system are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats

MOD asserts that the sounds heard across the country are the result of ongoing engaging operations of missiles and UAV's"

Tuesday’s strike marked the second consecutive day of renewed Iranian attacks on the US-Israel ally after Iranian drones on Monday set tankers ablaze and triggered a fire at the UAE’s largest oil storage facility.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the fighting between the US and Iran amid the ceasefire, calling it a "skirmish."

"I call it a skirmish because Iran has no chance. They never did. They know it," Trump told reporters.

When asked what would be considered a ceasefire violation by Iran, Trump said, "Well, you’ll find out, because I’ll let you know."

"And they know what to do," he added. "They know what not to do more importantly, actually."

Responding to a question about what he hoped to discuss with Xi Jinping regarding Iran, Trump told reporters at the White House: “That’ll be one subject, but he’s been very nice about this.”

“He’s been very respectful. We haven’t been challenged by China,” the president added, even as he acknowledged that Beijing is a significant importer of Iranian oil — supplies of which have been disrupted by the war.

“They don’t challenge us. He wouldn’t do that. I don’t think he’d do that because of me, but I think he’s been very respectful.”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine said Iran’s recent attacks had not crossed the threshold of “major combat operations.”

Hegseth insisted the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran remains in place despite ongoing exchanges of fire.

“No, the ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon news conference.

US President Donald Trump downplayed Iran’s military strength and, when asked what might violate the fragile ceasefire, said: "They know what not to do. Iran should do the smart thing. They play games, but they want a deal. We have total control. Now Iran is trying to survive.”

US President Donald Trump said during an Oval Office event on physical fitness among American kids, said: "We're in a little skirmish military. I call it a skirmish, because Iran has no chance. They never did. They know it."

The proposed Security Council resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and Gulf nations, threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if it doesn’t restore freedom of navigation and immediately disclose where sea mines have been placed in and around the vital waterway.

The draft, obtained by The Associated Press, also demands that Iran “immediately participate in and enable the United Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in the strait” to enable vital aid, fertilizer and other goods to transit.

The proposed resolution was drafted under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which can be enforced militarily. It threatens “effective measures that are commensurate with the gravity of the situation, including sanctions” if Iran doesn’t comply.

A previous resolution aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz, where about 20% of the world’s crude oil had transited, was vetoed by Russia and China.

Hapag-Lloyd AG, one of the largest container shipping companies in the world, has said that “transits through the Strait of Hormuz are for the moment not possible for our ships.”

“At this point in time our risk assessment remains unchanged,” the German company said.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US forces participated in the strikes alongside Israel because the Iranians’ “will was still there to seek a nuclear bomb” even after the bombing of nuclear sites last summer. “The obliteration of those facilities set back their program,” Hegseth said when asked about intelligence reports showing that, despite the initial bombing in Operation Midnight Hammer, the timeline for Iranian nuclear weapon development remained at 9 to 12 months. “Hopefully Iran chooses a deal that they give up those ambitions, give up those capabilities.”

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, on Tuesday, said that Iran's multiple attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. forces since the start of the ceasefire were below the threshold for renewed combat operations.

"Since the ceasefire was announced, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, and they've attacked U.S. forces more than 10 times, all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations," Caine said during the Pentagon news briefing.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday told reporters that Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. "They said they control the strait. They do not," Hegseth said.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the US is "locked and loaded" in the Strait of Hormuz as it moves to open up the crucial waterway.

"We prefer this to be a peaceful operation, but are locked and loaded to defend our people, our ships, our aircraft, and this mission without hesitation," Hegseth said during a press conference.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to hold a press conference at 8 a.m. ET on Tuesday, according to the US Department of Defense.

USS George HW Bush has transited the Arabian Sea as US forces enforce the naval blockade against Iran from the Gulf of Oman and support Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command said. The carrier has more than 60 aircraft on board.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, has claimed that the ongoing situation in the Strait of Hormuz is becoming “unbearable” for the United States.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Qalibaf asserted that a “new equation” is being established in the strategic waterway.

“The security of shipping and energy transit has been endangered by the United States and its allies through the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of a blockade,” Qalibaf wrote. “Of course, their evil will be diminished.”

He emphasized that Iran is fully aware of the pressure mounting on the US.

“We know very well that the continuation of the current situation is unbearable for the United States, while we haven’t even started yet,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Beijing later today for discussions.

“During the visit he will meet his Chinese counterpart to discuss bilateral ties and regional and international developments,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump has said that the ongoing conflict with Iran could continue for "probably another two weeks" or "maybe three weeks." Speaking to ABC News, Trump also said the US has "control" over the Strait of Hormuz. "They said they were going to take over the Homruz Strait, and then we thought they might have. We took it over from them," Trump said.

Major General Yadollah Javani, deputy commander of the IRGC, has warned that the repercussions of any further escalation by the US will be ‘considerably severe’.

“The fallout of escalation of tensions between Iran and the US will be much more severe for the latter. The US will flex its muscles, but will ultimately be defeated,” Major Javani was quoted as saying by Press TV.

"Trump will not be able by any means to change the course and reverse it to before February 28," he added.

US President Donald Trump stopped short of saying Iran had violated the ceasefire. One Iranian missile “got through” the UAE’s defences, and there was no “huge damage,” Trump said, according to an interview with American broadcaster ABC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attacks on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals.

Modi's sharp denouncement of the attacks came a day after the Indians were injured after drone strikes caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.

"Strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals. Targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable," Modi said on social media.