Middle East war live: Trump says Iran has been 'militarily defeated' at state dinner
Issued on: 29/04/2026 - 04:27Modified: 29/04/2026 - 07:45
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US President Donald Trump told Britain's King Charles III and other guests at a state dinner Tuesday that Iran has been "militarily defeated", in his first public comments on the sensitive topic during the ongoing royal visit. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.
29/04/2026 - 07:32A look back at the White House state dinner
29/04/2026 - 06:49Hegseth will be grilled by Congress for the first time since the Iran war began
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face questioning from lawmakers Wednesday for the first time since the Trump administration launched the war against Iran, which Democrats have contested as a costly conflict of choice waged without congressional approval.
The hearing before the House Armed Services Committee is being held to discuss the administration's 2027 military budget proposal, which would boost defence spending to a historic $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, are expected to stress the need for more drones, missile defence systems and warships.
While a ceasefire is now in place, the US and Israel launched the war February 28 without congressional oversight. House and Senate Democrats have failed to pass multiple war power resolutions that would have required President Donald Trump to halt the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.
Hegseth has avoided public questioning from lawmakers about the war, although he and Caine have held televised Pentagon briefings. Hegseth has mostly taken questions from conservative journalists, while citing Bible passages to castigate mainstream outlets.
29/04/2026 - 06:43Trump tells aides to prepare for extended blockade of Iran, WSJ reports
US President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing US officials.
In recent meetings, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran's economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports, the report said, adding that he believed that his other options, including resuming bombing or walking away from the conflict, carried more risk than maintaining the blockade.
- Trump tells state dinner Iran has been 'militarily defeated'
- Trump says King Charles shares stance against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons
Oil extends rally as report of prolonged US blockade on Iran fuels supply fears
Oil prices rose on Wednesday, extending a multi-day rally, on reports the US will extend its blockade of Iranian ports, likely prolonging supply disruptions from the key Middle East producing region.
US President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported late on Tuesday, citing US officials.
Trump will opt to continue to squeeze Iran's economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports, the report said.
Brent crude futures for June rose 52 cents, or 0.47%, to $111.78 a barrel at 0154 GMT, climbing for an eighth day. The June contract expires on Thursday and the more active July contract was at $104.84, up 0.4%.
29/04/2026 - 04:28Trump says King Charles shares stance against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Britain's King Charles did not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, introducing the fraught subject of the Middle East conflict into comments at a White House state dinner for the visiting royal.
The event was held on the second day of a four-day visit to the United States at a tense time in ties, after Trump has repeatedly criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what Trump calls lack of help in prosecuting the Iran war.
"We're doing a little Middle East work right now and we're doing very well," Trump said at the dinner.
29/04/2026 - 04:27Trump tells state dinner Iran has been 'militarily defeated'
US President Donald Trump told Britain's King Charles III and other guests at a state dinner Tuesday that Iran has been "militarily defeated," in his first public comments on the sensitive topic during the ongoing royal visit.
"We have militarily defeated that particular opponent," Trump said at the White House dinner, adding: "Charles agrees with me even more than I do – we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon."
29/04/2026 - 04:26Welcome to the FRANCE 24 liveblog covering events in the Middle East. Click here to catch up on what happened yesterday.
Yesterday's key developments:
• A US official reported that President Donald Trump was unhappy with the latest Iranian proposal on resolving the two-month war, dampening hopes for a resolution of the conflict.
• The UAE said it intends to quit the oil cartel OPEC+ effective May 1, adding that it reflected its vision for “accelerated investment in domestic energy production”.
• King Charles III gave a speech to the US Congress highlighting the UK's long-standing alliance with the US, despite concerns over the war in the Middle East.
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