President Trump addresses Americans, announces new strikes on Iran
- President Trump delivered a speech to Americans from Wednesday night to Thursday.
- New strikes on Iran are planned, pressure on other countries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz… Here’s what you need to know.
A highly anticipated speech. President Donald Trump spoke to Americans from Wednesday night to Thursday (3 a.m. French time), a month after starting the war in the Middle East. He did not announce the end of the conflict, on the contrary, he confirmed that new strikes are coming. He also commented on the Strait of Hormuz, at the heart of tensions with NATO countries. Here’s what to remember.
“Extremely severe” strikes at least until mid-April
After praising “decisive” and “crushing” victories since the beginning of Israeli-American operations on February 28, the White House tenant stated that the conflict with Iran is not over. “We will hit them very hard over the next two to three weeks. We will bring them back to the Stone Age where they belong,” he stated. He also threatened to target Iranian energy infrastructure, stating that in the absence of an agreement, the United States will “hit each of their power plants very hard and probably simultaneously.”
“Seize” the Strait of Hormuz
Trump also urged countries dependent on it to “take care” of the Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iran and usually where a fifth of the world’s oil production passes through. “There are countries that receive oil via the Strait of Hormuz, it is up to them to take care of it (…) Go to the strait, seize it, protect it, use it,” said the U.S. president, who criticized many NATO allies for not assisting the United States. The almost closure of this maritime passage has led to a surge in oil prices, fueling fears of sustained inflation.
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Iran is “no longer a threat”
Despite continuing strikes, Donald Trump assured that Iran “does not really pose a threat” anymore. “This country has been defeated,” he stated. “Tonight, all Americans can believe that we are free from this nuclear Iranian threat, we are on the verge of destroying it for good and when we are done, we will be stronger and more prosperous than ever.”
