US threats to 'bomb' Iran back fuel fear Conflicting claims on Washington's goals in Mideast dampen hopes for a peace deal By JAN YUMUL in Hong Kong and CUI HAIPEI in Dubai | CHINA DAILY | Updated: 2026-04-03 07:44

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202604/03/WS69ceff75a310d6866eb41808.html Hopes of a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East were dashed again on Wednesday after United States President Donald Trump announced that Iran would be hit "extremely hard over the next two to three weeks", even as he said that Washington's core objectives were "nearing completion".