WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has indicated that the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran could conclude within weeks, even as he warned of an escalation in attacks before any resolution is reached.
In a 19-minute prime-time address from the White House, Trump described the operation as a “decisive, overwhelming victory” and said the United States was “very close” to completing its objectives.
“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” he said, while adding that discussions were ongoing without outlining any clear diplomatic framework or terms for a potential deal with Tehran.
The president claimed that Iran’s military capabilities, including missile and drone systems, had been significantly degraded, with weapons infrastructure “being blown to pieces.” However, he acknowledged that Iran continues to retaliate, albeit with reduced capacity.
Trump also stated that nuclear facilities had been targeted again in recent days, asserting that concerns over remaining material were minimal. Reiterating his long-standing stance, he said Iran would never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, a claim he has maintained since launching his presidential campaign in 2015—though such assertions remain disputed by independent observers.
Linking the conflict to past US policy, Trump criticized the 2015 nuclear agreement, arguing that Israel’s survival would have been at risk had the deal remained in place.
In a notable remark, he denied actively pursuing regime change but suggested it had effectively occurred due to the deaths of key Iranian leaders. “We never said regime change, but regime change has occurred,” he said.
Addressing concerns over global energy security, Trump referenced the Strait of Hormuz—a critical waterway for global oil supplies—predicting it would “open up naturally” while urging energy-dependent nations to take responsibility for its protection.
Oil markets reacted during the speech, with prices rising more than 3% by its conclusion, reflecting heightened uncertainty. Asian markets, however, showed a muted initial response.
While briefly acknowledging the economic impact on American consumers, Trump downplayed concerns, describing them as temporary and emphasizing the strength of the US economy.
Seeking to reassure a war-weary public, he compared the current 32-day conflict to past US military engagements, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq War, highlighting its relatively short duration.
Despite the confident tone, the address offered no new policy announcements. The absence of a defined diplomatic pathway, coupled with plans for intensified strikes in the coming weeks, leaves uncertainty over whether the conflict is nearing resolution or entering a more volatile phase.
Story by Anwar Iqbal
