WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Washington’s “core strategic objectives” in the Iran war were nearing completion.
In a primetime televised speech from the White House, he said the US is “winning bigger than ever before” and vows to “finish the job” soon. “I’m pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” Trump said in a primetime address.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Iran’s navy is gone. Their air force is in ruins. Most of their leaders are dead. The commanding control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is being decimated.
Our enemies are losing and America is winning. pic.twitter.com/Qg0EO9KG0m
— Department of State (@StateDept) April 2, 2026
His 20 minute speech also called on allies to “build up the courage” to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the US doesn’t “need it”
Trump touted the successes of the U.S. campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury and again said the war won’t last long.
“We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast,” he said.
The U.S. and Israel began the war on Feb. 28 with strikes around Iran, including one that killed the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump:
American involvement in WW1 lasted one year, seven months, and five days.
WW2 lasted for three years, eight months, and 25 days.
The Korean War lasted for three years, one month, and two days.
The Vietnam War lasted for 19 years, five months, and 29 days.
Iraq… pic.twitter.com/9QJgcx3ggZ
— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 2, 2026
Western media reports suggest Trump’s speech made no mention of two main potential routes to ending the war: conducting negotiations or sending ground troops.
The president has repeatedly said his staff is in discussions with Iranian officials, and this morning said Iran’s “new regime president” had asked for a ceasefire. Iran denies it is negotiating.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is amassing a force of Marines and other service members that it could deploy to seize territory in Iran. Trump in the speech made no mention of any plans to to use them.
