Trump once again sets out a timeline of ‘two to three weeks’, as he defends his decision to go to war
Donald Trump used his first address to the nation since the start of the war in Iran to justify the costs that it is imposing on America and the world, while continuing to claim that he is close to winding up the conflict.
Trump said on Wednesday evening that Iran had been decimated and that the hard part of the war was done. He however added that the US would hit Iran “extremely hard” for the next two to three weeks.
double quotation markTonight, I’m pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion … In these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield – victories like few people have ever seen before.”
Trump addresses the nation to give an update on the war against Iran. Photograph: Alex Brandon/Pool/Alex Brandon – Pool/CNP/Shutterstock
The president also once again called for countries that receive oil through the strait of Hormuz to show “courage” and seize the key waterway, while saying Washington will not allow its Middle East allies to be harmed.
“The countries of the world that … receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage,” Trump said. “Just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves.”
He also thanked “our allies in the Middle East – Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain,” saying: “They’ve been great, and we will not let them get hurt or fail in any way, shape or form.”
Updated at 21.32 EDT
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US embassy in Iraq warns of attacks from ‘Iran-aligned militias’ in Baghdad within 24 to 48 hours
The US embassy in Baghdad has urged Americans to leave Iraq, warning that “Iran-aligned militias” may carry out attacks in central Baghdad within 24-48 hours.
double quotation markThese actors may target U.S. citizens, companies, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other sites believed to be associated with the United States, in addition to Iraqi institutions and civilian targets.”
The embassy goes on to say that routine consular services are suspended and urges US citizens to “leave Iraq now.”
Democrats are continuing to criticise Donald Trump’s primetime address to the American people on the war in Iran as “incoherent” and as doing little to answer “the most basic questions the American people,” according to statements from two Democratic lawmakers.
Senator Mark Warner, noted that Trump owed Americans more answers about a conflict that has driven up prices on gas “alongside rising prices for diesel, fertilizer, aluminum, and other essentials, with consequences that will continue to ripple through the economy for a long time to come.”
Mark Warner answers questions from reporters about the cost of the war with Iran. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP
Senator Chris Murphy, released a statement that said the “speech was grounded in a reality that only exists in Donald Trump’s mind.”
Murphy went on to add that “no one in America, after listening to that speech, knows whether we are escalating or deescalating.”
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have responded to an incident near Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) after air defence systems intercepted a missile, officials have announced, adding that there was minor damage and no injuries.
Israel’s military has said air defences are responding on to a fourth Iranian missile attack within six hours, as sirens sounded in parts of northern Israel.
A military statement said Israeli forces had “identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel”, adding that “defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat”.
Hezbollah has said its fighters launched drones and rockets at northern Israel on Thursday, with the Israeli military’s Home Front Command saying air raid sirens were activated across the border from Lebanon.
In separate statements, the Iran-backed group claimed rocket fire targeting Israeli troops in border areas and a drone attack targeting a village.
Sirens were activated in those areas, according to the Israeli Home Front Command, with no reports of any casualties or damage.
Updated at 00.31 EDT
Rationale for Iran war questioned after Trump says ‘I don’t care’ about regime’s uranium stockpiles
Julian Borger
Donald Trump has said he does not care about Iran’s stock of highly enriched uranium (HEU), arguing it was deep underground and could be monitored by satellite, raising questions about one of the key US justifications for the war.
In his address to the nation from the White House on Wednesday night, Trump elaborated: “If we see them make a move, even a move for it, we will hit them with missiles very hard again.”
Unless they were intended as a ruse to put Tehran off its guard, the president’s remarks appeared to rule out a risky military mission to retrieve the HEU stockpile, which Iran is believed to have hidden down deep underground shafts.
The apparent decision to leave the HEU, which is roughly enough for about a dozen warheads, in Iran appeared to conflict with Trump’s assertions that one of the principal war aims was to ensure it could never make a nuclear bomb.
Nuclear proliferation experts say that if the HEU stock remains under Iranian control at the end of hostilities, it would leave Tehran significantly closer to the capability of making nuclear bombs than the proposed settlement being negotiated in Geneva on 26 February, two days before the war began.
Some more reaction to Donald Trump’s address this evening:
Republican senator Ted Cruz said Trump “was exactly right tonight.”
double quotation markOperation Epic Fury is an investment in the future of our children and our grandchildren. We are on the cusp of ending Iran’s nuclear blackmail — that makes America much, much safer.”
Former congresswoman and devoted Maga acolyte Marjorie Taylor Green said all she heard from his speech was “WAR WAR WAR.”
double quotation markNothing to lower the cost of insurance. Nothing to address jobs for Americans. Nothing about education for our children. Nothing about our children’s future. Nothing for America’s future. I’m so beyond done.”
Michael McFaul, a professor of political science and former US ambassador to Russia under Barack Obama, said Trump failed to mention his “plans for complete denuclearization of Iran.”
double quotation markHis war so far has not achieved that objective. Is he just giving up?
double quotation markIf so, that means we lost a dozen soldiers, hundreds more injured, and spent a 100 billion to destroy boats, planes, and missiles that had no capability to attack the American homeland.”
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has given his verdict on Donald Trump’s address, asking whether here has ever been a “more rambling, disjointed, and pathetic presidential war speech?”
double quotation markDonald Trump’s actions in Iran will be considered one of the greatest policy blunders in the history of our country, failing to articulate objectives, alienating allies, and ignoring the kitchen table problems Americans are facing.”
Israel’s military said air defences responded to three waves of Iranian missile fire early Thursday, with media reporting several light injuries in the Tel Aviv area.
The third reported salvo came shortly after Donald Trump delivered an address to the American public about the Middle East war.
After the first attack, police said officers were called to “several” impact sites in central Israel, with media reports putting the number at nine.
First responders attend the scene of an impact site of an Iranian ballistic missile salvo in Tel Aviv. Photograph: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
Four people were lightly wounded, the reports said, citing medics.
Israeli media attributed the damage across a relatively wide area to the use of cluster munitions, which explode mid-air and scatter bomblets. Iran and Israel have previously accused each other of using cluster bombs.
Within just over three hours of the first attack, the military announced it had again “identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel”, triggering air raid sirens across much of northern and central Israel.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage as a result of the second and third reported attacks.
In the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s address investors were back to selling almost everything except the US dollar and sending oil prices higher. US stock futures slid 1% while European futures sank over 1.5%. Asian stocks were clobbered, with Japan’s Nikkei down 1.8% and South Korea’s Kospi index sliding 3.6%.
A person stands in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan’s Nikkei index on Thursday. Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP
“We have no additional certainty or clarity around timeline from this address and this is what the market was looking for,” said Jon Withaar, senior portfolio manager at Pictet Asset Management in Singapore.
double quotation markThe fact that we can expect 2-3 more weeks of action, boots on the ground were not ruled out and that threats to hit infrastructure were reiterated will put the market back on the defensive, particularly as we come into the long weekend.“
“The only thing that really matters is whether the strait of Hormuz will open soon. Trump’s speech doesn’t imply this is likely to happen as quickly as the markets were expecting,” said Prashan Newnaha, senior rates strategist at TD Securities.
As Trump delivered his speech in the White House Cross Hall, members of his administration were seated directly in front of him. According to the reporter pool following the president, vice-president JD Vance was sat in the front row.
Others in the audience included treasury secretary Scott Bessent, attorney general Pam Bondi, health secretary Robert Kennedy Jr, secretary of state Marco Rubio, defence secretary Pete Hegseth and director of intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Cabinet members and members of the military stand after Donald Trump concludes speaking from the Cross Hall. Photograph: Getty ImagesShare
Lauren Gambino
Donald Trump used a primetime address to the nation on Wednesday evening to declare the month-long war in Iran a success “nearing completion”, despite a spiralling conflict that has caused economic turmoil across the globe, fractured transatlantic alliances and eroded the president’s approval ratings.
In remarks from the White House, Trump argued that the US’s “little journey” to Iran had accomplished nearly “all of America’s military objectives”, but offered little clarity on how he planned to wind down the conflict over the next “two to three weeks”.
“We are on the cusp of ending Iran’s sinister threat to America and the world,” Trump said in the 19-minute speech, delivered from Cross Hall of the White House. “We have all the cards. They have none.”
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese – one of America’s allies who is most consistently supportive of Donald Trump on the world stage – said on Thursday he believed the original objectives of the war in Iran had been met and it was not clear what more remained to be achieved.
double quotation markNow those objectives have been realised it is not clear what more needs to be achieved or what the end point looks like.”
Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, has offered up his response to Donald Trump’s address, saying “Trump sold voters on a ‘pro-peace,’ ‘America First’ vision for his administration.”
double quotation markIt was all bullshit.”
Martin said that Trump was “desperately trying to justify his deadly and costly war of choice.”
double quotation markTrump offered no new information the the American people and once again failed to give the public a clear rationale for his war, while he forces them to foot the bill to the tune of billions of dollars and causes their gas prices to skyrocket.”
As part of his plea for patience from US voters, the Donald Trump ticked through the timeline of American involvement in earlier conflicts.
double quotation markWorld War I lasted one year, seven months and five days … World War II lasted for three years, eight months and 25 days.”
He added references to Korea, Vietnam and Iraq — noting Vietnam’s nearly 20-year US commitment.
Action in Iran has spanned 32 days by comparison, Trump said, and has been “so powerful, so brilliant” that “one of the most powerful countries” is “really no longer a threat.”
ShareKey moments from Trump’s oval office address
Donald Trump’s Wednesday evening address was an opportunity to use a wide audience to articulate clear objectives for the war, after weeks of changing goals and often contradictory messages about whether he’s winding down or ready to escalate military operations.
He said America’s “core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” but he also spent much of his time repeating many of the same things he said in recent weeks.
He criticised previous US administrations for failing to tackle Iran’s nuclear programme, saying previous presidents “made mistakes and I am correcting them.”
double quotation markFor years, everyone has said that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. But in the end, those are just words if you’re not willing to take action when the time comes.”
Earlier on Wednesday the president said he did not care about Iran’s stock of highly enriched uranium (HEU) as it was deep underground and could be monitored by satellite. He reiterated on Wednesday evening saying Iran’s various nuclear sites are under “intense satellite surveillance and control”.
double quotation markIf we see them make a move, even a move for it, we will hit them with missiles very hard again.”
Donald Trump gestures after speaking about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House. Photograph: Alex Brandon/EPA
Trump claimed the military action was launched to help America’s allies in the region, and also pointedly thanked “Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain,” adding he would not let them get hurt.
double quotation markWe’re now totally independent of the Middle East, and yet we are there to help … We don’t have to be there. We don’t need their oil. We don’t need anything they have … We’re there to help our allies.”
The president was particularly critical of Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, reiterating his longstanding derision of that framework, and commending his decision to pull out of it during his first term.
double quotation markHis Iran deal would have led to a colossal arsenal of massive nuclear weapons for Iran.”
Trump also didn’t talk directly about Nato, at whose members he has fumed over refusal to help secure the strait of Hormuz. The war has sent oil prices soaring as Iran has effectively shut the strait.
During his address, Trump said Americans “don’t need” the strait and that the countries who do “must grab it and cherish it.” The president also claimed that when the conflict is over, the strait would open up naturally.
ShareOil prices rise after Donald Trump addresses Americans about progress of Iran war
Mark Saunokonoko
Oil prices surged almost immediately after Donald Trump’s address on the Iran war. His 20 minute speech did little to soothe market worries over the closure of the strait of Hormuz, with the US president calling on other nations to help reopen it.
Brent jumped more than 4% to $105.55, while West Texas Intermediate climbed 3% to hit $103.16. Both had been falling before Trump started his speech.
In early trading on Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei was down 0.79% and South Korea’s Kospi reacted by dropping by 1.8%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was trading 0.5% lower and China’s CSI 300 fell 0.3% just after opening. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was 0.5% down.
Elsewhere, US stock futures dipped by 0.67% and European futures were 0.1% lower.
Updated at 21.56 EDT
Trump once again sets out a timeline of ‘two to three weeks’, as he defends his decision to go to war
Donald Trump used his first address to the nation since the start of the war in Iran to justify the costs that it is imposing on America and the world, while continuing to claim that he is close to winding up the conflict.
Trump said on Wednesday evening that Iran had been decimated and that the hard part of the war was done. He however added that the US would hit Iran “extremely hard” for the next two to three weeks.
double quotation markTonight, I’m pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion … In these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield – victories like few people have ever seen before.”
Trump addresses the nation to give an update on the war against Iran. Photograph: Alex Brandon/Pool/Alex Brandon – Pool/CNP/Shutterstock
The president also once again called for countries that receive oil through the strait of Hormuz to show “courage” and seize the key waterway, while saying Washington will not allow its Middle East allies to be harmed.
“The countries of the world that … receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage,” Trump said. “Just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves.”
He also thanked “our allies in the Middle East – Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain,” saying: “They’ve been great, and we will not let them get hurt or fail in any way, shape or form.”
Updated at 21.32 EDT
Trump says US close to ‘finishing the job’ in Iran
Trump has said that America’s core strategic objectives are nearing completion and he is close to “finishing the job” in Iran. He has once again set out a timeline of “two to three weeks”.
He has followed this statement by once again criticising US allies for failing to take part in the operation against Iran – and told them that they must take responsibility for reopening the strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP
Trump has said over the last few days that the US does not rely on the strait for its oil, so therefore will not take responsibility for reopening the vital waterway.
On Tuesday he told reporters that the responsibility for keeping the strait of Hormuz open will rest with countries that rely on it. “That’s not for us … That’ll be for whoever’s using the strait.”
Updated at 21.20 EDT