Iran threatens prolonged war as Trump says it is near defeatTEHRAN, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran warned it could wage a prolonged war with the United States and Israel that would "destroy" the world economy, even as US President Donald Trump said late Wednesday the Islamic republic was facing imminent defeat. Oil prices have surged since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran that killed its supreme leader and plunged the Middle East into conflict. The president had earlier said the United States must "finish the job" in Iran, adding that US forces had struck 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels. Lebanon was pulled into the war last week when Hezbollah attacked Israel following the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran's health ministry said on March 8 that more than 1,200 people had been killed in US and Israeli strikes.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 12, 2026 03:53 UTC