Hegseth: Today Will Be Most Intense Day of Strikes on Iran; Markets Rebound After Trump Says Iran War Could End Soon

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the U.S. airstrikes against Iran will reach their most intense level today. Hegseth said the operation is focused on three main objectives: destroying Iran’s missile stockpiles and launch systems, eliminating its naval capabilities, and preventing the country from obtaining nuclear weapons. Hegseth also said President Trump will make the decision on when to end the war.

U.S. stocks are rising on Tuesday after President Trump indicated that the war against Iran could be short-lived. Japan’s Nikkei stock index rose over 3% early Tuesday as Asian markets rebounded. Oil prices briefly shot to their highest level since 2022, but later fell on the news that the war may not last much longer.