Trump downplays Hormuz risks, says Iran war “nearing completion”

In a high-stakes national address centered on the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump sought to reassure Americans that the United States remains largely insulated from global energy turmoil caused by the ongoing war with Iran,even as he warned of intensified military action and declared the Iran war “nearing completion.”

President Donald Trump told Americans the war is “nearing completion” and projecting another “two or three weeks” of involvement.

However, Trump also signaled that the US is prepared to escalate its military campaign, warning that Iran could be brought “back to the stone ages.”

At the same time, he moved to downplay the strategic importance of the Hormuz Strait to the U.S., even as the critical oil and gas chokepoint drives global price volatility.

Trump said, “The United States imports almost no oil through the Hormuz Strait and won’t be taking any in the future. We don’t need it.” He emphasized that the U.S., as a leading oil and gas producer, is shielded from supply shocks even as global markets react to the conflict.

Noting that the US is the world’s leading oil and gas producer, Trump argued the country is shielded from supply shocks stemming from the conflict. Still, his remarks come as Americans face rising fuel costs, with gas prices surpassing $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022.

The remarks come as much of the world faces disruptions tied to the vital shipping lane, with energy prices surging.

The president also used the address to reinforce his broader narrative of military progress. Providing an update on “Operation Epic Fury,” he highlighted what he described as major battlefield successes against Iran, claiming US forces have delivered “swift, overwhelming blows” that have “decimated its navy, shattered its air force, eliminated its key terrorist leaders, and systematically dismantled its ability to threaten America, our allies, and the world.”

“We’re now totally independent of the Middle East. And yet we are there to help. We don’t have to be there. We don’t need their oil. We don’t need anything they have. But we’re there to help our allies,” Trump said.

Framing the operation as critical to global security, he added, “Tonight, I want to provide an update on the tremendous progress our warriors have made in Iran, and discuss why Operation Epic Fury is necessary for the safety of America and the security of the free world.”

Marking one month since the campaign began, Trump said, “As we speak this evening, it has been just one month since the United States military began Operation Epic Fury targeting the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, Iran.” He continued, “In these past four weeks, our Armed Forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield — victories like few people have ever seen before.”

He described the scale of destruction in stark terms: “Tonight, Iran’s navy is GONE. Their air force is in ruins. Their leaders, most of them — the terrorist regime they led, are now dead. Their command and control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Core is being decimated as we speak.” He added that “their ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed and their weapons, factories, and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left,” calling it unprecedented in modern warfare.

Reiterating his long-standing position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Trump said, “From the very first day I announced my campaign for President in 2015, I have vowed that I would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” He warned, “For these terrorists to have nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat… I will never let that happen.”

Trump stated, “I did many things during my two terms in office to stop the quest for nuclear weapons by Iran… First, and perhaps most importantly, I killed General Qasem Soleimani in my first term.” He also said, “I terminated Barack Hussein Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal… Essentially, I did what no other President was willing to do. They made mistakes and I am correcting them,” referencing policies tied to Barack Obama.

Trump said diplomacy had been attempted but failed: “My first preference was always the path of diplomacy, yet, the regime continued their relentless quest for nuclear weapons and rejected every attempt at an agreement.” He added, “For this reason, in June, I ordered a strike on Iran’s key nuclear facilities in Operation Midnight Hammer,” and claimed Iran later tried to rebuild its program elsewhere.

Outlining current objectives, Trump said, “We are systematically dismantling the regime’s ability to threaten America or project power outside their borders,” adding that “these core strategic objectives are nearing completion.” He praised U.S. forces, saying, “Our Armed Forces have been extraordinary. There’s ever been anything like it militarily — everyone is talking about it.”

He also honored American casualties, stating, “As we celebrate this progress, we think especially of the 13 American warriors who have laid down their lives in this fight… Now, we must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives.”

Addressing rising fuel costs directly, Trump said, “Many Americans have been concerned to see the recent rise in gasoline prices here at home.” He blamed Iran, claiming, “This short-term increase has been entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers and neighboring countries.” He added, “Iran can never be trusted with nuclear weapons. They will use them and they will use them quickly.”

In a message to other nations affected by supply shortages, Trump said, “To those countries that can’t get fuel… I have a suggestion. Number one, buy oil from the United States of America; we have plenty.” He added, “Number two, build up some delayed courage… Go to the Strait and just take it. Protect it. Use it for yourselves. Iran has been essentially decimated. The hard part is done.”

Looking ahead, Trump reiterated his timeline and warning: “I have made clear from the beginning of Operation Epic Fury that we will continue until our objectives are fully achieved.” He added, “We are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly, very shortly. We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.”

Trump said, “Tonight, every American can look forward to a day when we are finally free from the wickedness of Iranian aggression and the specter of nuclear blackmail,” adding, “Because of the actions we have taken, we are on the cusp of ending Iran’s sinister threat to America and the world.”