Trump Addresses Nation on Operation Epic Fury: Iran Has Suffered "Unprecedented Strikes," Threatens Oil and Power Targets If No Deal

Donald Trump, President of the United States, announced Wednesday night that from the outset of Operation "Epic Fury" it was clear the operation would continue until all objectives against the Islamic Republic were fully achieved, and that the US is now on course to complete those objectives. He said that with progress made, achieving the military objectives will be possible "very soon." Trump also emphasized that in the next two to three weeks "very heavy strikes" will be delivered, stating: "We will send them back to the stone age, where they belong." He added that talks are continuing and stressed that regime change was not America’s goal — but said that due to the killing of previous leaders, that change has occurred and "they have all been killed." ►Trump: Iran Has Suffered Unprecedented Strikes in History, America Is Winning At the start of his address to the American people regarding Operation Epic Fury, Trump said the Iranian regime "killed 45,000 of its own protesting people" and announced that during the military operation against such a government, "their air and naval power has been decimated," "most of their leaders have been killed," and their capacity to launch missiles and drones "has been significantly reduced." He claimed that "no enemy in the history of the world has suffered such strikes" and emphasized that America is winning. ►Trump: Our Key Objectives Are Nearly Accomplished Trump, criticizing the policies of the Obama administration, claimed that during his tenure $1.7 billion in cash was paid to the Iranian government through banks in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland — an action he said helped pave Tehran’s path to nuclear weapons. He said previous governments made "mistakes" he is now correcting. He added that the Islamic Republic tried to continue its missile and nuclear program in various locations, but these efforts were thwarted by US military strikes, including bomber strikes in June of last year. He claimed Iran was on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons and pursuing mass production of long-range missiles capable of reaching various points worldwide. Trump stated: "The regime they were running no longer exists. The IRGC command and control structure is now being destroyed. Their ability to fire missiles and drones has been drastically reduced and their weapons factories and missile launchers are being destroyed. Very few of them remain." He said America has "systematically" weakened and destroyed Iran’s military capabilities, including its navy, missile program, and defense industries, causing Iran’s "military paralysis" and reducing its ability to support proxy forces and its nuclear program. ►Trump: If No Deal, We Will Target Iran’s Oil and Power Facilities In the concluding part of his address, Trump criticized countries that refused to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, offering them the option to buy oil from America or open the strait themselves. He said: "They must also take responsibility for the security of the Strait of Hormuz. We did the hard part — eliminating the Iranian government." Trump added that with the end of the war, the Strait of Hormuz "will naturally open" because the Iranian government will be forced to sell its oil, leading to further reductions in global fuel prices. Describing the operation as "a short action to get rid of a malicious regime," he claimed America is on the right path and warned that if the conflict continues, more severe strikes will be delivered "in the next two to three weeks." He also claimed "regime change" in Iran has been accomplished and the new group in power is "less extreme and more rational." Trump warned that if no deal is reached, new targets including Iran’s electricity and oil facilities will be added to the strike list. Emphasizing "we are unstoppable," he said if Iran moves toward nuclear activities again, America will target those centers again. Comparing the operation to past American wars, Trump said that while previous wars lasted years, this operation "has turned upside down a powerful country" in just 32 days, describing it as "an investment for the future of American children and grandchildren."