Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said Wednesday night that from the beginning of Operation “Epic Fury” it was clear the operation would continue until its objectives against the Islamic Republic were fully achieved, adding that the United States is now on the path to completing those goals. He said that with the progress made so far, achieving the military objectives will be possible “very soon.”
Trump also stated that “very hard blows” will be delivered in the next two to three weeks, saying:
“We will send them back to the Stone Age, where they belong.”
At the same time, he said talks are continuing and emphasized that regime change was not the U.S. objective, but claimed that because previous leaders were killed, the change has occurred and “they have all been killed.”
Trump: Iran has suffered unprecedented blows and the U.S. is winning
In an address to the American people about Operation Epic Fury, Trump claimed that the Iranian government killed 45,000 of its own protesting citizens. He said that during the military operation against such a government, its air and naval power has been shattered, most of its leaders have been killed, and its ability to launch missiles and drones has been significantly reduced.
He also claimed that “no enemy in world history has suffered such blows” and said the United States is winning the conflict.
Trump: Our key objectives are nearly achieved
Trump criticized the policies of Barack Obama’s administration, claiming that during that period $1.7 billion in cash was transferred through banks in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland to the Iranian government, which he said helped pave the way for Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
He argued that previous governments made “mistakes” that he is now correcting, adding that Iran attempted to continue its missile and nuclear programs in multiple locations but that these efforts have been disrupted by U.S. military strikes, including bomber attacks last June.
He claimed Iran had been pursuing mass production of long-range missiles capable of reaching many parts of the world and was close to acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Trump said:
“The regime they led no longer exists. The command-and-control structure of the IRGC is now being destroyed. Their ability to launch missiles and drones has been severely reduced, and their weapons factories and missile launchers are being destroyed. Very few of them remain.”
He added that the United States has systematically weakened and destroyed Iran’s military capabilities, including its navy, missile program, and defense industry, which he said has paralyzed Iran militarily and reduced its ability to support proxy forces and its nuclear program.
Trump: If there is no deal, we will target Iran’s oil and power facilities
In the final part of his remarks, Trump criticized countries that refused to assist the United States in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting they should either buy oil from the United States or reopen the strait themselves.
He said:
“They should also take responsibility for the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The hard part — eliminating the Iranian regime — we have done.”
Trump added that once the war ends, the Strait of Hormuz will naturally reopen because Iran will need to sell its oil, which he said would lead to lower global fuel prices.
Describing the operation as “a short action to get rid of an evil regime,” he said the United States is on the right path to achieving its main objectives and warned that within the next two to three weeks even harsher strikes could occur if fighting continues.
He also claimed that regime change in Iran has already occurred, saying a new group now in power is “less radical and more rational.”
Trump concluded that if no agreement is reached, new targets — including Iran’s electricity and oil facilities — will be added to the list of strikes. He said the United States is “unstoppable” and warned that if Iran resumes nuclear activities, the U.S. will again target those facilities.
Comparing the operation with past American wars, he said that while previous wars lasted years, this operation overturned a powerful country in just 32 days, describing it as “an investment for the future of American children and grandchildren.”
