In a national address on April 1, President Donald Trump asserted that the United States is close to achieving its objectives in Iran, while warning that military operations would intensify for an additional two to three weeks.
Trump described recent U.S. military successes in the region as “rapid, decisive, and convincing victories,” claiming that the strategic goals of his administration are nearing completion. He stated, “We are going to send them back to the Stone Age, where they belong.”
The president emphasized that the U.S. does not rely on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route for global oil and gas supplies, and urged nations dependent on it to take action against Iranian blockades. He claimed that Iran’s missile and drone capabilities have been significantly diminished, stating, “Never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such obvious and devastating losses in a matter of weeks.”
Trump reiterated his justification for the military campaign, framing it as essential to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He referred to the Iranian government as a “bloody regime” responsible for the deaths of 45,000 of its citizens during recent protests. He warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose an intolerable threat to the U.S., Europe, and other regions.
While Trump noted that regime change was not the objective of the U.S. operation, he suggested that it has effectively occurred, stating, “Their leaders… are now dead.” He expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution but cautioned that failure to reach an agreement would result in severe strikes against Iran’s power infrastructure.
The president did not provide a specific timeline for the conflict, which escalated following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28. In retaliation, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched missile and drone attacks against Israel and U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf.
Critics of the military engagement argue that the conflict is spiraling out of control, spreading instability across the Middle East and contributing to a global energy crisis that is driving up prices.
Prior to Trump’s address, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian released an open letter to the American public, stating that Iranians harbor no animosity toward ordinary Americans. He emphasized that Iran has never pursued aggression or initiated war in its modern history, dismissing portrayals of Iran as a threat as “inconsistent with historical realities and current observations.” Pezeshkian defended Tehran’s actions in the conflict, describing them as a “measured response based on legitimate self-defense.”
In his recent address, President Trump claimed the U.S. is nearing victory in its military campaign against Iran while warning of continued strikes. Iranian President Pezeshkian countered with a letter to Americans, asserting Iran's non-aggressive stance and defending its actions as self-defense.