Washington: US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is nearing the completion of its objectives in the ongoing conflict with Iran, while warning of intensified military action in the coming weeks, including potential strikes on key infrastructure.
“We will continue until our objectives are fully achieved. Thanks to the progress we’ve made, I can say we are on track to complete all of America’s objectives shortly, very shortly,” the US president said.
Trump further warned that Washington is prepared to escalate its offensive, stating, “We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We are going to take them back to the stone ages where they belong.”
He clarified that “regime change was never our goal,” but added that “regime change has occurred because of their original leader’s death.”
The president also issued a direct warning regarding Iran’s critical infrastructure, saying that failure to reach a deal could result in widespread attacks on power facilities. “If during this period of time no deal is made, we have our eyes on key targets. If no deal is reached, we are going to hit every one of their electric generating plants very hard, and probably simultaneously,” he said.
Conflict Framed as Investment in Future Generations
Trump portrayed the war as a necessary step toward ensuring long-term security for the United States, describing it as “a true investment in your children and your grandchildren’s future.”
“The whole world is watching, and they can’t leave the power, strength and brilliance. They just can’t believe what they’re seeing,” he added.
He reiterated that the military campaign is aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, despite prior acknowledgments by US intelligence officials that Tehran is not actively pursuing such capabilities.
Call to Secure Strait of Hormuz
Addressing global energy concerns, Trump urged other nations to take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, which has been significantly affected by the conflict.
“Build up some delayed courage,” he said, addressing countries reliant on Gulf oil supplies. “[They] should have done it before, should have done it with us, as we asked. Go to the strait and just take it, protect it.”
Support for Regional Allies
The US president reaffirmed support for key allies in the region, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
“We are gonna finish the job. We are getting very close,” he said. “They’ve been great, and we will not let them fail in any way, shape, or form.”
Rising Fuel Prices in the US
Trump acknowledged growing domestic concerns over rising fuel prices, noting that gasoline costs have increased by more than 25 percent since the conflict began. He described the rise as temporary.
“Many Americans have been concerned to see the recent rise in gasoline prices here at home,” he said. “This short-term increase has been entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers in neighbouring countries that have nothing to do with the conflict.”
Defense of Nuclear Policy Decision
The president also defended his decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama, arguing that the deal would have enabled Iran to develop a significant nuclear arsenal.
“They would have had them years ago, and they would have used them,” Trump claimed. “It would have been a different world. There would have been no Middle East and no Israel right now.”
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful and has denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
Claims of Military Success
Trump asserted that US military operations have significantly weakened Iran’s capabilities. “Their ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces — very few of them left,” he said.
He added that Iran’s navy is “gone” and its air force has been severely damaged, claiming that the US is “winning bigger than ever before.”
‘Overwhelming Victories’ and Final Warning
Referring to ongoing operations, Trump said, “It’s been just one month since the United States military began Operation Epic Fury targeting the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, Iran. In these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield.”
Concluding his address, the US president reiterated that the conflict is nearing its end. “We are on the cusp of ending Iran’s sinister threat to America and the world,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to “finish the job.”
