Donald Trump delivered a primetime address to the nation on Wednesday, his first since the start of the Iran war, claiming the military had nearly achieved its goals and insisting the US could end the conflict even if the Strait of Hormuz remained shut. The 20-minute speech from the White House aimed to clarify the administration’s shifting justifications for the war but offered no clear timeline for ending the month-long conflict.
Trump repeated familiar arguments, blending wartime rhetoric with the narrative that decisive force delivers results. He vowed to bomb Iran back to the “Stone Ages” but provided little new information, largely reiterating points from his Truth Social posts. The speech was full of self-praise, with Trump claiming he “did what no other president was willing to do” by not allowing Iran to have nuclear weapons.
He blamed Tehran for a wide range of attacks, including the October 7 “bloody atrocities” in Israel, and asserted that “never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such clear and devastating large-scale losses.” However, he offered no evidence that the operation had curbed Iran’s nuclear ambitions, despite previous claims that US strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump said “core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” including eliminating Iran’s navy, air force, and missile programme, but did not explain how these goals were achieved. He again urged allies to “build up some delayed courage” and take the lead in retaking control of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut, sparking a global energy crisis.
Despite rising energy costs, Trump played down the impact of the disruption. His approval ratings have continued to fall, with 35% approving and 58% disapproving of his handling of the presidency, amid pushback from his own base over the Iran war.
