President Donald Trump addressed the nation on April 1, delivering a prime-time speech on the ongoing war with Iran, now entering its second month. The president made bold claims about military progress while issuing stark new threats about what comes next.
Donald Trump sends fresh new threats to Iran
President Donald Trump addressed the nation on April 1, delivering an update on Operation Epic Fury in Iran. Trump declared the U.S. is “nearing completion” of its military objectives, now 32 days into the conflict.
Trump threatened intensified strikes, saying, “We’re going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks — we’re going to bring them back to the Stone Age, where they belong.” He claimed Iran’s military has been largely dismantled, stating, “Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Their missiles are just about used up or beaten.”
NBC News fact-checkers rated that claim as “mostly true.” A Center for Strategic and International Studies report found Iran had “lost the majority of its naval capability in less than 10 days.” However, Iran continued launching attacks even as its stockpile depleted.
U.S. Central Command reported over 12,300 sites struck, 13,000 combat flights launched, and 155 Iranian military vessels damaged or destroyed since February 28. Trump also confirmed 13 American service members have died during the conflict.
Military experts challenged Trump’s broader strategic claims. Retired Army Col. Steve Warren told NBC News: “This is clearly a tactical success. Strategic success is often in the eye of the beholder.” Experts noted Iran retains enriched uranium and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also claimed regime change had occurred, saying: “Regime change was not our goal, but regime change has occurred because of all of their original leaders’ death.” NBC News rated this false, with Western officials confirming Iran’s government remains intact. Oil prices surged to $104 per barrel following Trump’s speech.
