The speech comes as the conflict in the Middle East enters its second month.
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump explained the reasons for the country’s war with Iran and said that the United States is “nearing completion” of the objectives set at the start of the military operation, during a primetime address on April 1.
“Thanks to the progress we’ve made, I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives,” Trump said. “We’re going to hit them extremely hard. Over the next two to three weeks, we’re going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing.”
The speech, which aired at 9 p.m. ET, came at a critical time as the conflict in the Middle East has entered its second month.
“He is expected to reiterate the 2–3-week timetable for concluding the operation that he stated yesterday.”
Trump outlined the operation’s objectives from the beginning: to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile systems and production facilities, neutralize its navy, cut off support for terrorist proxies, and prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
On March 31, Trump said that the United States may end the conflict without addressing all Iranian threats in the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that other countries should defend their own trade interests in the waterway.
“That’s not for us. That will be for France. That will be for whoever is using the strait,” he told reporters.
Investors saw his statements as a positive sign that the war is ending soon. On April 1, stocks rallied, and oil prices eased. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 200 points. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures, a benchmark for North American crude oil prices, fell by 1.24 percent to settle at $100.12 per barrel.
Since the start of the military campaign, U.S. forces have struck more than 11,000 targets.
Hours before his address, Trump said on Truth Social that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wants a ceasefire deal, but will not consider it until the standoff in the Hormuz Strait is settled.
“Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!” Trump wrote.
“We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also released a video message on April 1, explaining the reasons for the country’s war with Iran.
“We were on the verge of an Iran that had so many missiles and so many drones that no one could do anything about their nuclear weapons program in the future—that was an intolerable risk,” Rubio said.
“This was our last best chance to eliminate that conventional threat, that conventional shield that they were trying to build, and the President made the right decision to wipe it out.”
Trump delivered his speech amid growing concerns about rising fuel prices at home. Iran’s threats to block the Strait of Hormuz sent shockwaves through global supply chains.
According to the American Automobile Association, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.06, over a dollar more expensive than it was a month ago.
By Emel Akan
