Iran War Day 20 Live news: Trump rules out ground troops, US readies biggest strikes; oil nears $119, Pentagon eyes $200 bn

Twenty days into the escalating US-Iran conflict, the war shows no sign of abating.

According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump’s administration had been weighing the deployment of thousands of US troops to broaden military options against Iran -- including securing the Strait of Hormuz or targeting critical oil infrastructure.

However, Trump has now publicly ruled out such a move, saying the US is “not putting troops” in Iran, signalling a deliberate effort to avoid a ground invasion even as the conflict intensifies.


Follow live coverage of the West Asia war.

Speaking in Washington during a meeting with Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi, Trump struck a mixed note of restraint and confidence, claiming the war “will be over with soon” and asserting -- without providing details -- that “Iran leadership is gone” and “they are looking for new leaders again.”

US military operations, meanwhile, have already carried out thousands of strikes against Iranian vessels, missile facilities, and defence infrastructure, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth indicating further escalation. “Today again will be [the] largest strike package on Iran,” he said, adding: “We will finish this… war will end on our terms.”

Hegseth reiterated that US objectives remain unchanged -- dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities, military-industrial base, and naval strength -- and claimed Iran’s “surface fleet is no longer a factor.”

The Trump administration has yet to decide on ground troop deployment, citing high risks and political fallout.

US military operations have already carried out thousands of strikes against Iranian vessels, missile facilities, and defense infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Iran has intensified strikes on regional energy infrastructure, hitting Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City and prompting the UAE to shut key gas operations.

Also Read | US weighs military reinforcements as Iran war enters possible new phase

Energy markets are reeling as missile strikes and regional instability push oil prices above $108 per barrel, compounding global economic pressure.

The violence has spread beyond the battlefield: for the first time in the war, Palestinian civilians were killed in the occupied West Bank by an Iranian missile strike.

The conflict has also sparked diplomatic tensions.

Also Read | West Asia War: Qatar says Iran attacked LNG hub; UAE shuts major gas facilities

Qatar declared Iranian military and security attaches “persona non grata,” demanding their departure within 24 hours after Ras Laffan was hit. Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are bracing for further Iranian attacks, raising fears of a prolonged and multi-front war across the Persian Gulf.

Gulf tensions widen, arms support ramps up

In a parallel development, Washington has approved military sales worth $16.46 billion to the UAE and Kuwait, according to official statements, underscoring efforts to bolster Gulf allies facing sustained Iranian missile and drone attacks.

The move comes after Iran targeted energy infrastructure across the region, including Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, prompting emergency shutdowns and raising fears over global energy supplies.

The UAE also shut key gas facilities, while Kuwait reported drone strikes on its Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery.

Energy markets surge as war hits supply chains

Energy markets are reeling as the conflict disrupts critical infrastructure.

Brent crude briefly surged past $119 per barrel — nearing multi-year highs — amid fears of prolonged disruption across the Gulf. Middle East benchmarks such as Dubai and Oman crude also hit record premiums, according to Reuters data.

The spike follows Iranian strikes on regional energy facilities after Israel targeted Iran’s South Pars gas field, the world’s largest natural gas reserve shared with Qatar.

Conflict spreads geographically and militarily

The war continues to expand in both scale and geography.

The Israeli military said it had carried out strikes on Iranian naval assets in the Caspian Sea — the first such operation in northern Iran — targeting vessels, surveillance systems, and a port command centre. The IDF described it as “one of the most significant strikes” since the start of its campaign.

Israeli forces have struck over 200 targets across Iran in just 36 hours, signalling a sharp escalation.

Meanwhile, Iran has intensified missile attacks across the Gulf, targeting Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE, with strikes hitting key oil and gas facilities.

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu was also targeted, highlighting the widening geographic spread of the conflict.

Civilian toll rises, West Bank sees first fatalities

The violence has increasingly spilled beyond military targets.

For the first time in the conflict, Palestinian civilians were killed in the occupied West Bank after an Iranian missile strike hit Beit Awwa near Hebron, leaving at least three women dead and several others wounded.

Israeli authorities said the missile carried cluster munitions, raising concerns over civilian vulnerability in areas with limited shelter infrastructure.

Pentagon funding push, costs soar

The US Pentagon has sought over $200 billion from the White House to fund the war effort, according to The Washington Post, far exceeding the cost of current operations and aimed at replenishing weapons stockpiles.

Costs have already crossed $11 billion within weeks, underscoring the rapid pace of military spending. The proposal is expected to face resistance in Congress amid divisions over deeper US involvement.

High-risk operations, near-miss incidents

The risks of escalation remain acute.

A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing during a combat mission over Iran after encountering suspected Iranian fire, CNN reported, citing sources. The aircraft landed safely, but the incident highlights the dangers facing US forces operating in contested airspace.

Regional diplomacy frays, global stakes rise

Diplomatic tensions are also intensifying.

Qatar has declared Iranian military attaches “persona non grata” after the Ras Laffan strike, while Saudi Arabia has warned it reserves the right to retaliate.

Iran, meanwhile, has criticised France’s President Emmanuel Macron for what it called “silence” over US-Israeli strikes, while warning that the economic cost of the war could run into trillions for the US.

Strategic divide deepens as war drags on

Even as military pressure mounts, analysts warn the conflict lacks a clear off-ramp.

According to Reuters, the war is reshaping regional dynamics — strengthening Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu politically, while leaving Trump grappling with economic fallout, rising oil prices, and exposed Gulf allies.

With Iran still capable of retaliatory strikes and global energy flows under threat, the risk of a prolonged, multi-front conflict across the Gulf remains high.

Pentagon eyes over $200 billion Iran war funding; Congress battle likely

The US Pentagon has sought over $200 billion from the White House to fund the escalating Iran conflict, far exceeding current air campaign costs and aimed at replenishing critical weapon stockpiles after weeks of strikes, The Washington Post reported.

The proposal is likely to face resistance in Congress amid divisions over US involvement, with any package needing to cross a high Senate threshold. Costs have already crossed $11 billion, highlighting the pace of spending as the war intensifies.

US weighs ground Troops, expands military options

• Trump administration considers deploying thousands of troops to secure the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s Kharg Island.
• Securing the Strait could require air, naval, and potentially limited ground operations along Iran’s coastline.
• Military experts warn seizing Kharg Island, a hub for 90% of Iran’s oil exports, would be high-risk due to Iranian missile and drone capabilities.
• Options also include attempting to acquire Iran’s enriched uranium, though specialists say such a mission would be complex and perilous.

Ras Laffan Targeted: Qatar declares Iranian attaches “persona non grata”

• Iranian missile strikes damaged Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG processing hub, prompting emergency response teams to contain fires.
• Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks as a violation of sovereignty and international law, requesting Iranian personnel leave within 24 hours.
• No casualties were reported at Ras Laffan, but damage to the facility threatens global gas supply and energy stability.
• The UAE also shut down Habshan gas facilities and the Bab oil field after intercepting missiles, labeling the attacks a “dangerous escalation.”

First Palestinian casualties reported in West Bank

• Iranian missile strikes killed at least three Palestinian women in Beit Awwa, southwest of Hebron.
• Six others were wounded, one seriously, marking the first Palestinian fatalities in the conflict.
• Israeli military confirmed the missile carried cluster munitions that bypassed air defenses.
• Residents face extreme vulnerability, with minimal access to shelters compared to Israelis.

Escalation across the Gulf and Israel

• Iran has launched missiles at Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE, targeting energy infrastructure.
• Israel continues strikes against Iranian leaders, including the intelligence minister Esmail Khatib and top security officials, deepening regional tensions.
• Missile attacks on Israel killed at least 14 civilians; Israel has retaliated with targeted strikes against Hezbollah and Iranian assets in Lebanon.
• Oil prices surge amid fears of prolonged Gulf disruption, now over $108 per barrel for Brent crude.

US military actions and casualties

• The US has carried out more than 7,800 strikes since Feb. 28, damaging over 120 Iranian vessels.
• Thirteen US troops have died in the conflict so far, with around 200 wounded, mostly minor injuries.
• Pentagon has requested over $200 billion from Congress to fund ongoing military operations, according to The Washington Post.
• Discussions continue over whether to deploy ground forces to secure strategic Iranian assets.

Regional diplomacy and security alerts

• Saudi Arabia warned it reserves the right to military action against Iran, following missile strikes in its Eastern Province.
• Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah suspended attacks on the US embassy for five days, demanding Israel halt operations against Beirut suburbs.
• Unidentified drones were detected over a Washington Army base, raising domestic security concerns.
• Qatari, UAE, and Saudi authorities remain on high alert, with energy infrastructure at continued risk.

Saudi port of Yanbu targeted in latest strike

• Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu was hit in an aerial attack on Thursday, according to a Reuters source.
• Initial assessments suggest the impact was limited, with no immediate reports of casualties or major disruption
• Yanbu is a key logistics and export hub, and the strike signals the widening geographic spread of the conflict.

Iran slams Macron over “silence” on strikes

• Iran criticised French President Emmanuel Macron for not condemning US–Israel strikes on Iranian targets.
• Iranian official Abbas Araghchi accused Macron of reacting only after Iran retaliated.
• He pointed to earlier attacks on Iranian fuel storage and gas facilities that, he said, drew no response from Paris.

Iran warns of “Israel First tax” on US economy

• Iran claimed the economic fallout of the war would ultimately be borne by American taxpayers.
• Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi pointed to reports of a $200 billion Pentagon funding request as only an initial cost.
• He alleged the real financial burden could run into trillions, describing it as an “Israel First tax” on the US economy.
• Araghchi blamed Israeli leadership and its allies in Washington, arguing the conflict risks dragging the US into prolonged and expensive military commitments.

Two Kuwait refineries hit in drone strikes

• A drone attack triggered a fire at Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery on Thursday.
• Kuwait’s state-run KUNA news agency, citing Kuwait Petroleum Corp., said the attack caused a blaze at the facility but did not result in any injuries.
• The Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery is one of the largest in the Middle East, with a production capacity of around 730,000 barrels per day, making it a critical component of Kuwait’s oil infrastructure.
• Hours later, reports of another refinery in Kuwait having set ablaze from drone attacks came in.