AGENCIES

Hopes for a swift end to the Middle East war faded yesterday after US President Donald Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran, sending oil prices sharply up again in a blow to consumers around the world.

Stocks slid and the dollar gained after Trump said military operations would be intensified without offering the timeline that investors had sought for ending hostilities against Iran.

“We’re going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong,” Trump said in a Wednesday evening prime-time speech.

Trump said the US would achieve its military objectives soon but suggested the war could escalate if Iranian leaders did not give in to Washington’s terms during negotiations, with strikes on Iran’s energy and oil infrastructure possible.

He has said he may end the war with a deal and told countries that rely on fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been all but closed by Iranian attacks, to “just grab it”.

European and other states have said they will only help secure the strait if there is a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, around 40 countries yesterday called for the immediate reopening of Hormuz.

SEE PAGE 2 COL 1