Trump Addresses Nation on Military Operations Against Iran

Four weeks after initiating military action against Iran, President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House on Thursday night. In his prime-time speech, Trump asserted that 'Operation Epic Fury' has been highly successful, bringing the U.S. close to achieving its primary military objectives in Iran. The President stated, “Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, we have maintained that we will continue until our goals are fully realized. Thanks to the progress we have made, I can say tonight that we are on the verge of accomplishing all of America's military objectives very soon.” He added, “We are going to complete this task, and we will do it very quickly.”

During his address, Trump outlined four main objectives of the U.S. military campaign: to destroy Iran's aggressive missile capabilities, eliminate its missile production systems, neutralize its navy and extensive security infrastructure, and ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.

In his national television address, Trump also warned that Washington would launch a “very powerful” attack on Iran within the next two to three weeks, stating that the country would be sent back to the “Stone Age.” He remarked, “We are going to launch a very powerful attack on them in the next two to three weeks. We are going to send them back to the Stone Age, where they actually belong.”

Additionally, Trump claimed that Iran's military capabilities have significantly weakened; he stated that its navy is 'destroyed' and its air force is 'devastated.' He also mentioned that most of Iran's leaders have been killed.

In comparing the current military operation to previous U.S. campaigns, Trump noted that while past wars lasted years or decades, the ongoing operation in Iran has been underway for just over a month. “America's involvement in World War I lasted one year, seven months, and five days. World War II lasted three years, eight months, and 25 days. The Korean War lasted three years, one month, and two days. The Vietnam War lasted 19 years, five months, and 29 days. The Iraq War lasted eight years, eight months, and 28 days. We have been in this military operation for 32 days. And the country is completely devastated and is no longer a threat,” he stated.

Trump emphasized that the purpose of U.S. military action in Iran is not to seize the country's vast resources, including oil, but rather to assist America's allies. He stated, “We are no longer completely dependent on the Middle East, and yet we are there to help. We do not need to be there. We do not need their oil. These news are being read by you. We do not need anything they have. We are there to help our allies.”

Trump also expressed gratitude to U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Israel and Gulf nations, promising to protect them from any threats posed by Iran or other countries. He said, “I want to thank my allies in the Middle East – Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE – for being so good, and we will not let them be harmed or fail in any way.”

This speech marked Trump's first prime-time address regarding the Middle East crisis following U.S.-Israeli attacks in Iran, which resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures.