US ‘very close’ to meeting Iran war goals, Trump signals more strikes ahead

The United States is nearing the completion of its military objectives in Iran, Donald Trump said in a nationally televised address, even as Washington continues quiet contacts with Tehran amid an escalating conflict.

Speaking just over a month after US-Israeli strikes began, US President Trump reiterated that the campaign—dubbed Operation Epic Fury—is on track to achieve its goals “very shortly,” though he stopped short of outlining a definitive endgame. His remarks largely echoed previous assertions, blending claims of battlefield success with warnings of further escalation.

“From the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, we have said that we will continue until our objectives are fully achieved… we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly, very shortly,” Trump said. “We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast.”

Four objectives driving US campaign

Trump outlined four key aims guiding the offensive: dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities, destroying its missile production infrastructure, neutralizing its naval and security apparatus, and ensuring Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons.

At the same time, he signaled that diplomatic channels remain open, noting that US officials are in touch with unnamed Iranian counterparts even as military operations intensify.

‘Will strike extremely hard’

In a stark warning, Trump said the US would escalate attacks over the next two to three weeks, threatening to push Iran “back to the Stone Age.”

“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks… we are going to bring them back to the Stone Ages,” he said, underscoring the possibility of a sharp intensification in hostilities.

Claims of heavy damage to Iran’s military

Trump asserted that Iran’s military infrastructure has already been severely degraded. He claimed the country’s navy is “gone,” its air force “in ruins,” and much of its leadership eliminated.

“Iran’s navy is gone, their air force is in ruins… their command and control… is being decimated as we speak,” he said, adding that missile and drone capabilities have been significantly curtailed.

Drawing contrasts with past US wars

Positioning the current operation as swift and decisive, Trump compared it to past American conflicts, noting that wars such as Vietnam and Iraq stretched on for years, while the Iran campaign has lasted just over a month.

“We are in this military operation for 32 days. And the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat,” he said.

‘We don’t need Iran’s oil’

Rejecting suggestions that the war is resource-driven, Trump said the US has no interest in Iran’s oil and is acting to support its allies in the region.

“We don’t need their oil. We don’t need anything they have. We are there to help our allies,” he said, adding that the US has sufficient domestic energy reserves despite concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Assurance to regional allies

Trump thanked key partners including Israel and Gulf nations, vowing continued protection against any threat from Iran or elsewhere.

“We will not let them get hurt or fail in any way,” he said.

The address marked Trump’s first prime-time speech on the crisis since US-Israeli strikes in Iran reportedly killed Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, further raising the stakes in an already volatile Middle East conflict.