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Trump Says U.S. Nearing Goals in Iran War
Donald Trump said the U.S. is close to achieving its war goals in Iran while warning of intensified strikes and urging allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa from DVIDS
U.S. President Donald Trump told Americans in a televised primetime address that U.S. forces are approaching the completion of their key objectives in the ongoing conflict with Iran, while warning that more intense military action could follow.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said the United States had made significant progress, claiming Iranian naval drones and ballistic missile systems had been largely destroyed. He stated that additional strikes would be carried out “very strongly” over the next two to three weeks and suggested the campaign could conclude quickly, though he did not outline a firm end date.
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The president also urged nations dependent on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to take decisive steps to secure the route, which has been heavily disrupted by Iranian attacks since the conflict began. He called on allies to show greater resolve, saying they should “go to the Strait and just take it.”
Now in its fifth week, the war is putting pressure on Trump domestically, with rising fuel prices and declining approval ratings ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in November. Financial markets reacted cautiously, with Brent crude prices increasing from roughly $100 per barrel before the speech to about $105 afterward.
Trump offered few details about what he described as ongoing contacts with Iranian leadership but warned that energy infrastructure could become a target if talks fail. He said U.S. forces could strike Iran’s power generation facilities simultaneously, noting that oil sites had not yet been attacked because doing so would severely limit Iran’s ability to recover.
Earlier, Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that Iran had sought a ceasefire, a statement dismissed by Tehran as untrue.
He also renewed calls for allied countries to take a more active role in protecting maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz. However, he did not directly address the future of the NATO alliance, after previously criticizing it as ineffective.
The speech came as Mark Rutte is expected to visit Washington next week.
Reactions in Washington were sharply divided. Chuck Schumer criticized the address, calling it unfocused and ineffective, and argued that the administration had failed to clearly define its goals while straining relations with allies.
Meanwhile, Lindsey Graham, a close ally of the president, praised the remarks as a turning point, saying Iran must reach an agreement or face further military consequences.
According to US Central Command, U.S. forces have hit more than 12,300 targets across Iran since Operation Epic Fury began, including naval vessels, missile launch systems, and defense production sites.
Despite U.S. claims of progress, Iranian strikes continued across the region on Wednesday. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar responded to missile and drone attacks, while British forces reported intercepting 10 Iranian drones over Jordan, Bahrain, and Cyprus.
Public sentiment in the United States appears increasingly wary of the conflict. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that around two-thirds of Americans want the war to end quickly, even if key objectives are not fully met. The survey also showed that 60% oppose the strikes on Iran, while 35% support them.
Editor’s Note:
Donald Trump’s address highlights growing geopolitical and domestic pressures as the war with Iran intensifies, with global energy security and stability of the Strait of Hormuz remaining central concerns.
