President American Donald Trump, during a televised speech from the White House, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Photo credit: Getty Images
Article Information – Author: Editorial – Role: BBC Mundo – Date: April 2, 2026 – Reading Time: 6 min
The American President, Donald Trump, delivered a televised speech on Wednesday in which he stated that his country was “on the verge of achieving” its goals in Iran and promised to “carry out this mission soon.”
“The Iranian army has vanished, its air force is in ruins, and most of its leaders have found death,” he declared.
A month after the launch of the operation dubbed “Heroic Fury,” the American leader added that Iran’s ability to launch missiles and use drones had been significantly reduced.
In his address to the nation, he described Iran as a looming threat to global security, the “foremost state sponsor of terrorism,” and a “murderous regime.”
He also argued that the military operation was “necessary for the security of the United States and the world,” and to ensure that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon.
In this vein, he praised the American military strength as “unstoppable” and thanked Middle Eastern allies, including Israel and Gulf states, for their support.
“They have been fantastic, we will not allow them to suffer harm or fail in any way,” he emphasized.
The President also specified that regime change in Iran “had never been an objective,” but had occurred because the entire old guard had been eliminated.
This message was broadcast a few hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian published an open letter insisting that Tehran had never posed a threat to the United States and asserting that Washington had been manipulated by Israel to go to war.
Despite the expectations raised, the Republican avoided setting specific deadlines for the end of the war.
Melissa Toufanian, former principal adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, told the BBC that it is likely that Americans feel “even more disoriented” about the war with Iran after Trump’s message.
“I don’t think there is a single American who watched this speech today and feels there is a clear plan, a defined timeline, or that we are safer and better protected,” she stated.
Ivo Daalder, former US ambassador to NATO, believed that Trump’s speech did not provide answers to many crucial questions, including why the United States continues military actions in Iran if, according to Trump, Iran’s nuclear capabilities, navy, and missiles have been destroyed.
“I don’t see why we should think we are safer… and I believe Americans share a similar sense of doubt,” he told the BBC.
The Venezuelan President and Oil Trump also thanked his armed forces for swiftly conducting an operation in Caracas to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
He added that the United States and Venezuela got along well, referring to them as “strategic partners.”
While stating that the US did not need foreign oil, he urged countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil to take the lead in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
“To those countries that cannot obtain fuel, many of whom refuse to participate in the decapitation of Iran: summon the courage you lack, head to the strait, and take it, plain and simple. Protect it,” Trump said.
With this in mind, the President blamed Tehran for the rise in gasoline prices, a matter of concern to many Americans. Following the speech, oil prices rose to $105 per barrel.
Previously, the President had mentioned considering withdrawing the United States from NATO due to a lack of support from those countries in the Middle East. However, a law passed in 2023 implies that such a move would not be a simple process.
Energy deliveries from the Gulf were largely disrupted after Iran responded to American and Israeli attacks by threatening to attack ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, a vital commercial waterway.
However, the President’s assurance of being better prepared than ever to face the economic repercussions of war rings hollow for those who opposed the military operation in Iran.
Trump’s Justifications By Bernd Debusmann Jr., BBC News Correspondent at the White House
Trump’s televised speech this evening largely focused on what he considers the successes of this war and its necessity.
From the outset of his speech, Trump described “swift, decisive, and overwhelming” victories in this war, including the deaths of senior Iranian leaders and a “considerably reduced” ability to launch missiles and drones.
“The United States is winning, winning big, like never before,” he added.
Trump quickly mentioned Venezuela, a country that, as he has repeatedly stated, serves as a model for American military operations abroad.
It was a swift and “violent” intervention that kept a friendly government in power, he emphasized.
This has not yet happened in Iran, a country that – at least publicly – has refused to acknowledge calling for a ceasefire or that negotiations are leading to an imminent end of hostilities.
It is worth noting that Trump has not yet addressed the immediate need for the operation carried out at the beginning of this year.
Instead, he blamed previous administrations for failing to act against a regime that has been a thorn in America’s side for over 50 years.
