President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran is “essentially really no longer a threat” following a 32-day U.S. military campaign, while also warning that additional strikes are planned in the coming weeks as diplomatic discussions continue, as reported by Fox News.
In a primetime address, Trump said the United States is close to completing its military objectives but indicated the operation is not yet finished.
“I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly. Very shortly, we are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” Trump said.
Here’s What They’re Not Telling You About Your Retirement
“We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing.”
Trump compared the current operation’s timeline to previous U.S. conflicts, noting that American involvement in World War II lasted more than three years, while the Vietnam War spanned 19 years and the Iraq War lasted eight years.
He emphasized that the current campaign has lasted just over a month.
“We have all the cards. They have none,” Trump said. “American involvement in World War II lasted for three years, eight months, and 25 days,” he added.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
“We are in this military operation … for 32 days,” he said. “And the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat.”
The president pointed to U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, saying key facilities were severely damaged by B-2 bomber operations and warning of further military action if Iran attempts to restore its nuclear capabilities.
“The nuclear sites that we obliterated with the B-2 bombers have been hit so hard that it would take months to get near the nuclear dust,” Trump said.
“If we see them make a move, even a move for it, we’ll hit them with missiles very hard.”
Questions remain about the status of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, estimated by international watchdogs to include between 900 and 1,000 pounds enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
The conflict has also impacted global energy markets, contributing to rising fuel prices. Trump attributed recent increases in gasoline costs to Iranian attacks targeting commercial shipping and regional infrastructure.
“Many Americans have been concerned to see the recent rise in gasoline prices here at home,” Trump said.
“The short-term increase has been entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers and neighboring countries.”
Trump said Iran’s leadership structure has been significantly weakened, suggesting that key figures have been killed in the strikes and warning of further escalation if no agreement is reached.
“We never said regime change, but regime change has occurred because of all of their original leaders’ death. They’re all dead,” Trump said.
“If there is no deal, we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants very hard and probably simultaneously.”
He also claimed that Iran’s air defense systems have been eliminated.
“They have no anti-aircraft equipment,” Trump said.
“Their radar is 100% annihilated. We are unstoppable.”
The military campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, began on Feb. 28. According to U.S. Central Command, more than 12,000 targets inside Iran have been struck, and 155 naval vessels have been damaged or destroyed.
Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed, and 350 have been injured during the operation.
Trump referenced visits to Dover Air Force Base, where fallen service members were returned to the United States.
“Twice this past month, I have traveled to Dover Air Force Base, and it’s been something I wanted to be with those heroes as they return to American soil,” Trump said.
“And I was with them and their families, their parents, their wives, their husbands. We salute them.”
“Now we must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives,” he added.
“And every single one of the people, their loved one said, please, sir, please finish the job, every one of them, and we are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast. We’re getting very close.”
Trump also called on allied nations to play a larger role in protecting global energy routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping corridor for oil.
“The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage. They must cherish it. They must grab it and cherish it,” Trump said.
“We will be helpful, but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on.”
He added that some countries have not participated in military efforts and urged them to increase their involvement.
“So to those countries that can’t get fuel, many of which refuse to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, we had to do it ourselves,” Trump said. “Go to the strait and just take it. Protect it. Use it for yourselves.”
Trump predicted that global energy markets would stabilize once the conflict concludes.
“When this conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally,” Trump said. “It will resume the flowing and the gas prices will rapidly come back down.”
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
