President Trump sought to reassure skeptical Americans that the war in Iran is in the national interest, arguing that the operation was necessary to decimate a regime threatening the U.S.
In a 20-minute address from the White House, Trump said the U.S. had succeeded on the battlefield and declared that U.S. military objectives would be completed “very shortly.”
Trump vowed to hit Iran “extremely hard” in the coming weeks and pummel the country “back to the Stone Ages, where they belong.”
He encouraged other countries to “build up some delayed courage” and wrest control of the Strait of Hormuz from Iran.
Analysts say the U.S. and Israel have achieved tactical military success in Iran, striking more than 12,300 targets, sinking more than 155 vessels and killing senior figures such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
