Trump Says Iran War Objectives ‘Nearly Complete’ While Signaling Further Strikes

PBS

U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that Washington is close to achieving its “core strategic objectives” in the ongoing conflict with Iran, even as he signaled that military operations will continue in the coming weeks.

In a national address, Trump said the United States has made significant progress, describing the campaign as nearing completion. “We are very close,” he stated, suggesting that key goals have largely been met. However, he stopped short of outlining a clear timeline or strategy for ending the conflict.

Despite the optimistic tone, the president also emphasised that military pressure would intensify. He indicated that U.S. forces would continue launching strikes against Iranian targets, potentially increasing their scope if Tehran does not change course. 

Trump also framed the conflict within a broader geopolitical context, asserting that the United States is no longer dependent on the Middle East, particularly in terms of energy.

Trump also thanked several Gulf allies — including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain — for their cooperation during rising tensions in the Middle East. He also pledged that the United States would not allow these countries to be harmed amid the ongoing conflict.

The speech had immediate global repercussions. Energy markets reacted sharply, with oil prices rising amid fears of prolonged instability. Meanwhile, financial markets showed signs of volatility as investors responded to uncertainty surrounding the conflict’s trajectory and the absence of a defined exit plan.


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