Trump says Iran war objectives ‘nearing completion’ in address to nation

In a televised address, President Donald Trump announced that the US military has reached the final stages of achieving its strategic aims in the conflict with Iran. He emphasized that the next two to three weeks would see a “very hard” strike against Iran, aiming to conclude the operation swiftly without specifying a timeline for the overall war’s end.

Call for Allies to Secure Key Waterway

Trump urged nations receiving oil via the Strait of Hormuz to demonstrate “courage” and take control of the vital strait, which has been under Iranian attack since the conflict began. Despite this push, the speech did little to calm global oil markets, which saw crude prices rise to $105 a barrel following his remarks, up from $100 before he spoke.

“Very shortly, we are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” Trump stated. “We have not hit their oil, even though that’s the easiest target of all, because it would not give them even a small chance of survival or rebuilding.”

The president faces mounting pressure as gas prices soar and his approval ratings dip amid the fifth week of the war and the approaching US midterm elections. While he claimed to have “decimated” Iran’s naval and missile forces, the US Central Command reported over 12,300 targets struck since Operation Epic Fury began. Yet, Iranian attacks persisted, with the UAE and Qatar responding to missile strikes, and British forces downing 10 Iranian drones in Jordan, Bahrain, and Cyprus.

Political Backlash and Diplomatic Uncertainty

Trump’s speech drew sharp criticism, notably from New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who called it “rambling, disjointed and pathetic.” Schumer argued that the administration’s Iran policy could become a “great policy blunder,” undermining allies and neglecting domestic concerns. Meanwhile, Trump highlighted ongoing talks with Iran’s leaders, hinting at potential strikes on energy infrastructure if negotiations fail.

“If there is no deal, we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants very hard, and probably simultaneously,” the president said.

Trump also mentioned his reconsideration of NATO’s role, referring to it as a “paper tiger.” However, he omitted specific details about NATO’s future. Days after the speech, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, dubbed “the Trump whisperer,” planned a visit to the White House, raising questions about the alliance’s alignment with US strategy. A recent poll revealed that two-thirds of Americans favor ending the war quickly, with 60% disapproving of the military strikes on Iran.