E-Paper
When will the Iran war end? Trump makes big announcement in prime-time address to the nation
Trump said the US will keep striking Iran for the next 2–3 weeks, vowing to devastate its capabilities and force it back “to the Stone Ages.”
In his April 1 address to the nation, President Donald Trump provided a big update on the Iran war saying that the US will continue to strike the country in the next "two to three weeks," which will "bring them back to the Stone Ages."
Wednesday's speech was Trump's first prime time address on the situation in the Middle East since the US-Israeli strikes in Iran that led to the death of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other key figures.
Giving an update on Operation Epic Fury, Trump made a series of claims on Iran's nuclear capabilities, noting that their “navy is gone, their air force is in ruins.” He noted that major Iranian leaders "are now dead" the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps “is being decimated as we speak.”
Regarding when the Iran war could end, Trump did not indicate a timeline, but said the US forces in the Middle East will "finish the job" when the “core strategic objectives are nearing completion.”
Trump Skips NATO, Strait of Hormuz Mention
Trump also skipped details on the Strait of Hormuz situation which Iran has blocked amid the conflict, leading to soaring oil prices worldwide. Without elaborating on the situation in the Strait, Trump said that the US "doesn't need" it. He said America has enough oil that it "must grab...and cherish."
The POTUS also skipped mention of NATO after saying earlier on Tuesday that he is considering withdrawing from the military alliance. The 79-year-old has been complaining about NATO allies not helping to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Notably, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reports that as of April 1, more than 400 ships are stuck at the Strait of Hormuz waiting for permission from Iran to pass.
Trump's Approval At All-Time Low
Trump's speech seemed more geared towards allaying the concerns of American voters at a time when his approval ratings have fallen to an all-time low amid rising fuel prices in the aftermath of the Iran war.
Also read: Trump says Iran was ‘at the doorstep’ of a nuclear weapon, defends strikes on nuclear sites
A CNN-SRSS poll on Trump's favorability among voters released on Wednesday found that his economic favorability is at an all-time low, at 31%.
Additionally, all other major polls show that Trump's overall approval among US voters has significantly fallen in the past few months, touching record lows. The Nate Silver Bulletin poll shows Trump's overall at -16.7 points, while the Economist/YouGov poll (February-March 2026) rated his approval at 38%.
This, combined with the recent election losses for Republicans in key states, including the Florida House seat where Trump's Palm Beach residence is located, is a sign of alarm for Trump.
Needless to say, Trump has his tasks cut out ahead of a crucial mid-term election this November.
