Why Trump Says Iran Will Be Hit Hard in the Coming Weeks
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced that US forces will continue striking Iran “very hard” over the next two to three weeks, vowing to bring the country “back to the Stone Ages, where they belong.” Speaking in a primetime address, Trump argued that all of Washington’s military objectives have so far been met or exceeded, even as he signaled no clear end to the conflict.
Trump did not mention negotiations with Iran or the April 6 deadline he had previously set for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas shipments. He has threatened to attack Iran’s energy infrastructure if the strait remains closed. He also offered no path to resolve supply disruptions that have sent energy prices soaring, nor did he address the possibility of sending US ground troops into Iran or seeking NATO assistance.
The remarks sent oil prices sharply higher. Brent crude jumped 4.9 percent to $106.16 per barrel, while benchmark US crude rose 4 percent to $104.15. Asian stocks fell, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 down 1.4 percent and Seoul’s Kospi losing 3.4 percent in early trading. US gas prices crossed an average of $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022.
Reaction was swift. The Soufan Center, a New York-based think tank, said Trump’s speech suggests he is willing to leave the strait’s security to other nations. “While Trump explicitly thanked US allies in the Arabian Gulf, an expedited US withdrawal without securing the strait will leave many of these countries in the lurch,” the group wrote.
Democratic lawmakers criticized the address. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia said Trump owed Americans more answers on a conflict driving up prices for gas, diesel, fertilizer, and aluminum. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut called the speech “incoherent” and said no one knows whether the US is escalating or de-escalating.
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