Trump Addresses Iran War Progress, Intensified Operations

President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday evening from the White House, offering an update on the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran that began more than five weeks ago with joint strikes by American and Israeli forces. In his first primetime speech since the conflict erupted on February 28, Trump described significant progress toward achieving U.S. objectives while signaling intensified operations in the coming weeks, a development that has heightened concerns among Republicans about their prospects in the midterm elections six months away.

Trump stated that the military was on track to complete its goals "shortly, very shortly," but added that forces would "hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks." He portrayed the effort as essential for long-term security, saying, "This is a true investment in your grandchildren and your grandchildren's future. When it's all over, the United States will be safer, stronger, more prosperous and greater than it has ever been before." The president also addressed rising energy costs, asserting that gasoline prices would drop quickly once the war ended, though he provided no specific plan for reopening...