14 Middle East Updates: Trump Wants to End the War, Netanyahu-Iran Response
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The war between Iran and the United States (US) and Israel continues to intensify. In the Tuesday-Wednesday (1/4/2026) update, several facts emerged.
Here is a summary from CNBC Indonesia based on various sources:
- Sirens Blare in Israel
Israel’s military stated that its air defence responded to a missile attack from Iran on Wednesday. Warning sirens were activated across central Israel.
“A short while ago, the IDF (army) identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israeli territory,” the military statement said, as reported by AFP.
“Defence systems are operating to intercept the threat,” it added.
- Houthi Missiles Bomb Israel
Israel also reported a missile attack from Iran’s ally, the Houthi group in Yemen, on Wednesday. The Houthis officially joined Iran’s war against the US and Israel last week, launching drone and missile strikes on the Zionist state.
“Israel identified a missile launch from Yemen towards Israeli territory… air defence systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the Israeli military said, as reported by AFP.
Damage is not yet known. However, civilians were urged to take shelter in safe places.
Meanwhile, the Houthis’ involvement in the war could disrupt shipping through the Red Sea, as they did at the peak of the Israel-Gaza war. The Houthis also warned shipping in the Suez Canal, which requires ships to pass through a narrow strait off Yemen’s coast.
- Explosions Rock Tehran
Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, reported attacks in Tehran on Wednesday. The broadcaster said on Telegram that explosions were heard in the north, east, and centre of the capital.
- Kuwait Airport Hit by Drone
Kuwait’s civil aviation authority said the Gulf state’s international airport was attacked by an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) on Wednesday. This caused a “major fire” in a fuel tank.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said a fire occurred at a business facility “due to Iranian aggression.” Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said it shot down several drones.
- Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill 7 People
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli strikes on the southern outskirts of Beirut and a nearby town killed at least seven people. Israel claimed it targeted senior Hezbollah members in the attack.
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on 2 March when the Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel has responded with widespread strikes across Lebanon and ground attacks.
The Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes in the Jnah area of southern Beirut killed at least five people and injured 21 others. A Lebanese security source said four parked cars were hit.
“Another strike that hit a vehicle in Khaldeh, just south of the capital, killed two people and injured three others,” the Health Ministry said in a separate statement.
- Tanker Ship Hit by Projectile off Qatar
A tanker ship was hit by a projectile in the Gulf, off the coast of Qatar’s capital, Doha. This was reported by the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations agency on Wednesday, noting some damage but no casualties.
“The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said it received a report of an incident 31 km north of Doha where a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile on its port side, causing damage to the hull above the waterline. The crew is reported safe,” AFP said.
“There is no environmental impact” and authorities are investigating the incident.
Trump Says War Over to Netanyahu & Iranian President
An American journalist was kidnapped on Tuesday in Baghdad by an Iraqi armed group suspected of being Iran-backed. The journalist was identified as Shelly Kittleson, a freelancer for Al-Monitor, one of the media outlets.
The US State Department said it had warned the journalist about security risks. The US is working to secure the release of the American citizen “as soon as possible.”
- Trump Announces When to Stop the War - Will Give Important Speech to US Citizens
Trump said on Tuesday local time that the war with Iran might end in two or three weeks. He also said it is the responsibility of other countries to secure the vital oil shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, said America would leave Iran “soon,” possibly in “two weeks, maybe three weeks.” “But we’re finishing this job,” he emphasised.
“We want to destroy everything they have,” Trump said before adding that “there is a possibility we will make a deal before that.”
Meanwhile, the White House also announced that Trump will address the nation at 9:00 pm on Wednesday “to provide an important update on Iran.” However, it should be noted that Trump has previously been inconsistent in his stance on whether Washington plans to escalate the war that has disrupted the world economy, mentioning possible deployment of US ground forces or attempting to end it through negotiations with Tehran.
- Asian Markets Rise on Trump’s Remarks
Asian stocks surged on Wednesday after Trump indicated the war might end soon. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index jumped 4.0%, while benchmark indices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Seoul all rose.
- Pope Asks Trump to Stop the War
Pope Leo XIV said he hopes Trump will work to end the war in the Middle East. He also called for an end to the violence.
“I am told that President Trump recently stated that he wants to end the war,” said the American-born Pope.
“I hope he seeks a way out, I hope he seeks a way to reduce the amount of violence, bombings”