By Our Correspondent
National News – Donald Trump has declared that the war between the United States and Iran is approaching its final phase, while warning that more “extremely hard” military strikes could continue for up to three weeks if Tehran does not yield.
Speaking from the White House in Washington on Wednesday night, Trump said the United States was close to achieving its main military and political objectives in the conflict that began after Washington joined Israel in launching attacks on Iran on February 28.
According to the U.S. president, the war aims to weaken Iran’s military power, end its support for regional armed groups and stop it from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump told Americans that the mission was “very close” to success and vowed to “finish the job very fast.”
The conflict escalated rapidly after Israeli strikes reportedly killed Iran’s long-time supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war.
Since then, tensions have intensified across the Middle East, with Iran retaliating by seizing control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a critical shipping route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Trump also warned that if Iran fails to agree to negotiations, the United States could target Iranian power infrastructure.
He said American forces could strike “each and every one” of the country’s electric power plants, threatening to push Iran “back to the Stone Ages.”
The president’s remarks come amid growing domestic pressure.
Rising oil prices and weakening consumer confidence have pushed U.S. gasoline prices above $4 per gallon, contributing to declining approval ratings for the administration.
Meanwhile, Iran’s government rejected claims that it was seeking a ceasefire. The country’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegation and said Washington was making “irrational and maximalist demands.”
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has not publicly indicated any willingness to accept a U.S.-led peace proposal.
The speech also drew criticism from U.S. lawmakers. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said Trump’s remarks created uncertainty about whether Washington intended to escalate or de-escalate the conflict.
With global oil markets reacting nervously and international allies divided, the coming weeks could determine whether the war moves toward negotiation or further military escalation.
