Summary of this article
US President Donald Trump said American forces have “decimated” Iran’s naval and air capabilities during the first month of Operation Epic Fury, targeting the country’s military infrastructure and leadership.
Trump reiterated that the US would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons and defended the military campaign as necessary after diplomatic efforts failed.
The president said the operation could conclude soon but warned the US would intensify strikes in the coming weeks to fully dismantle Iran’s military threat.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered a primetime address to the nation, saying the United States is nearing completion of its military objectives in Iran after one month of Operation Epic Fury, a campaign targeting the country’s military capabilities and leadership.
In his speech, Trump said US forces had carried out what he described as “swift, decisive, overwhelming victories,” claiming that Iran’s naval and air power had been severely damaged and its command structures weakened. He said the operation aimed to dismantle Tehran’s ability to threaten the United States and its allies or project power beyond its borders.
The president repeated his long-standing position that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons, describing the country as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Trump said the military action followed years of tensions and failed diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Trump also referenced past actions taken during his presidency, including the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated during the administration of former president Barack Obama.
According to Trump, American forces will continue operations until their objectives are fully achieved. He said the US military could intensify strikes over the next two to three weeks in an effort to complete the mission.
The president acknowledged that rising gasoline prices in the United States had caused concern among Americans, attributing the increase to Iranian attacks on commercial oil tankers and regional shipping routes.
Trump concluded by saying discussions were continuing alongside the military campaign, but insisted the United States currently held the advantage. He said the operation had brought the country closer to ending what he called Iran’s threat of nuclear coercion and regional aggression.
