Trump says US close to achieving objectives in Iran

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, we look at US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Washington is close to achieving its core objectives. While he pointed to a possible end to operations, questions remain over how the conflict will conclude and what comes next. We also look at the UAE’s response, as officials reject reports suggesting the country could take part in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force. In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an international meeting to address the crisis, warning that even if the war ends, risks to global shipping will persist. Elsewhere, Unesco, the UN's cultural organisation, has granted enhanced protection to dozens of cultural sites across Lebanon amid the conflict, while Nasa has launched Artemis II, the first crewed Moon mission in more than half a century. Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated by humans.