ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including US President Donald Trump's signaling an end to the ongoing attacks against Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying Tehran is not seeking a ceasefire but a complete end to the war, and global backlash over Israel's death penalty law for Palestinians growing.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says US will ‘leave’ Iran in 2-3 weeks

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that American forces will leave Iran within “two to three weeks,” signaling an end to the ongoing attacks against Iran.

“All I have to do is leave Iran, and we’ll be doing that very soon,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“We’ll be leaving very soon,” he said, adding that it will happen in “maybe two weeks, maybe three.”

He claimed the administration’s objective of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon has already been achieved, saying: “They will have no nuclear weapon. And that goal has been attained.”

Trump also argued that US strikes had severely degraded Iran’s military capabilities, asserting it could take “15 to 20 years” for Tehran to rebuild.

• Iran seeks no ceasefire but complete end to war: Foreign minister​​​​​​​

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran is not seeking a ceasefire but a complete end to the war across the region, stressing that any resolution must include guarantees against future attacks and compensation for damages.

He said contacts with the US do not constitute negotiations, but are limited to the exchange of messages -- directly or through regional intermediaries.

Araghchi told Al Jazeera he continues to receive messages from US Envoy Steve Witkoff, as in the past, but stressed that it should not be interpreted as formal negotiations.

He said the messages are conveyed through the Foreign Ministry, with some communication between security bodies, adding that there are no talks with any specific entity inside Iran.

Araghchi indicated that the exchange of messages is conducted within an official government framework under the supervision of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

• Global backlash over Israel's death penalty law for Palestinians growing

A wave of international condemnation is mounting after Israel’s Knesset passed a law on Monday, making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted of lethal attacks against Israelis.

Türkiye on Tuesday condemned the law, saying the legislation is "aimed at further entrenching the occupying power Israel’s apartheid regime against Palestinians, constitutes a continuation of policies of denial, annihilation, and political executions targeting the Palestinian people and is unlawful and null and void."

The UN strongly opposed the new law, calling it “particularly cruel and discriminatory.”

The EU foreign policy chief expressed "deep concern," urging Israel to abide by its obligations under international law. Canada on Tuesday strongly denounced it, calling it "discriminatory" and "dehumanizing."

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​​​​NEWS IN BRIEF

• An Iranian drone attack struck fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport on early Wednesday, triggering a large fire but causing no casualties, according to Kuwait's state ⁠news agency KUNA.

• The Israeli military carried out an airstrike early Wednesday on Dahiyeh district in the southern part of the Lebanese capital Beirut, witnesses said.

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington may reassess the value of the NATO alliance after the Iran war, citing growing frustration with allies’ reluctance to support the American military campaign.

• US and Israeli strikes targeted major steel facilities in Iran on Tuesday, including the Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan and the Khuzestan Steel Company in Ahvaz, according to the Tasnim News Agency.

• Türkiye on Tuesday condemned the death penalty law approved by the Israeli Knesset that would apply exclusively to Palestinians.

• Lebanon’s defense minister said Tuesday the country rejects any Israeli attempt to establish a “security zone” in the country’s south or prevent displaced residents from returning to their homes.

• The US State Department said Tuesday it is aware of the kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad and is coordinating with the FBI to secure her release.

• The USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier departed Tuesday from the Naval Station Norfolk in the state of Virginia for a "scheduled deployment," according to the US Fleet Forces.

• The Israeli army said Tuesday evening that the situation has become “unbearable” due to a shortage of soldiers, calling for legislation to allow the recruitment of more troops.

• Iran said Tuesday that at least 249 women and 216 children were killed in US-Israeli attacks since the start of war last month.

• The UK will deploy more troops and air defense systems to the Middle East to help the allies against Iranian attacks, the country's defense secretary said Tuesday.

• China and Pakistan on Tuesday announced a five-point initiative, including ensuring early passage through the Strait of Hormuz, to restore "peace and stability" in the Middle East as the regional conflict intensifies.

• Israel has canceled a planned visit by French Armed Forces Minister Alice Rouffo to Tel Aviv after France refused to allow US aircraft carrying weapons to Israel to fly over its territory, according to Israeli media on Tuesday.

• The UN Development Program warned Tuesday that the ongoing war in the Middle East could cut the Arab region’s economic output by as much as $194 billion, reversing more than a year of growth and deepening poverty and unemployment across the region.

• Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Tuesday that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the country since March 2 rose to 1,268, with 3,750 injured.

• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the upcoming days would be “decisive” as the US weighs its next steps on Iran.

• Türkiye on Tuesday booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 away victory over Kosovo in the European qualifiers playoff final, securing their first appearance in 24 years.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Brent crude falls below $105 per barrel as market pares earlier war-driven gains

Brent crude oil prices fell around 3% to below $105 per barrel in international futures markets on Tuesday, reversing earlier gains, as market volatility eased after the recent war-driven surge.

The international benchmark was trading at $103.42 per barrel as of 1645GMT, while the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate stood at $101.45 per barrel.

• European natural gas prices fall over 8%, with benchmark TTF near $58.3

European natural gas prices fell sharply on Tuesday, with the benchmark Dutch TTF contract dropping over 8%, as market volatility eased after the recent war-driven surge.

The TTF price fell to trade near €50.6 ($58.3) per megawatt-hour as of 1535GMT on Tuesday.