Washington: US President Donald Trump said the United States has almost achieved its military goals in Iran, but he did not give a clear timeline for ending the conflict, raising questions about what comes next.
In a prime time address to the nation on April 1, Trump said American forces had caused major damage to Iran’s military capabilities. He claimed that Iran’s navy and air force have been largely destroyed and its missile systems and nuclear programme have been severely weakened.
The conflict began on February 28, when the United States, along with Israel, launched strikes on Iranian targets. Since then, the fighting has continued with repeated attacks across key locations.
Trump said the operation could be completed within two to three weeks and promised that the United States would finish the mission quickly. At the same time, he warned that more strikes could follow, especially on Iran’s energy infrastructure, if Tehran does not meet US demands.
He also suggested that American forces could withdraw soon but remain ready to return if needed for targeted operations.
Despite these claims of progress, the president did not outline a clear exit strategy. Experts say Iran may still have stockpiles of enriched uranium, possibly hidden in underground facilities, which raises concerns about whether the nuclear threat has been fully removed.
There are also worries about continued instability in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, remains affected, contributing to rising oil prices and economic pressure worldwide.
The speech comes at a time when public support in the United States is declining. Reports indicate that a majority of Americans are concerned about the war and its impact, especially as fuel prices rise.
Allies have also been looking for more clarity on the final objectives of the operation, but the address offered limited new details.
While the US administration maintains that the mission is close to success, the situation on the ground and the absence of a clear end plan suggest that the conflict is not yet fully over.