Donald Trump will give an « important » Iran war update to the nation on Wednesday night in what could be a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on X that that the US President will give an « address to the nation » on Wednesday at 9pm ET (Eastern Time), which is 2am, London Time, on Thursday morning.
On Tuesday, Trump indicated the US will be finished in Iran in « two or three weeks » regardless of whether a deal is done with Tehran. This is following on from threats to « obliterate Iranian energy sites » if a peace deal was not agreed. He maintained that negotiations were making progress, however Iran has contradicted this. Speaking at the White House last night, Trump also said oil prices will « come tumbling down » once US forces withdraw from the country. He reiterated his claim that regime change in Iran has « been achieved ». Strikes have continued overnight with Beirut and an Iranian steel plant among places targeted.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday, US chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Dan Caine confirmed more than 11,000 targets have been struck over the past 30 days.
The Navy was also reported to have successfully taken out more than 150 ships.
Peter Hegseth, the US Secretary of War, also said the upcoming days will be « decisive ». He added: « American firepower is only increasing. Iran’s decreasing. We have more and more options, and they have less.
« Just one month, in only one month, we set the terms.
« The upcoming days will be decisive and Iran knows that, and there’s almost nothing they can militarily do about it. »
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since echoed Trump’s timeline for the war, telling Fox News « the finish line » was in sight.
Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused oil prices to soar, with a barrel of Brent crude reaching $118 on Tuesday.
Speaking on his Truth Social account, Donald Trump said that « countries like the UK » struggling to access jet fuel because of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz should buy supplies from the United States or take action themselves.
The US President singled out the UK, accusing it of refusing to take part in efforts against Iran and saying America would no longer come to the aid of allies that did not support Washington.
He also accused France of being « very unhelpful » when it came to with respect to the « Butcher of Iran' ».
According to the Wall Street Journal, the UAE has confirmed it is willing to help reopen the strait by force.
The UK has confirmed it is sending more troops and air defence systems to the Middle East to help defend its Middle East allies, with Iran « considering » whether British bases are now a legitimate target in the conflict.
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