WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump delivered a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, declaring that U.S. military operations against Iran under Operation Epic Fury have made substantial progress and are nearing completion.
Trump spoke from the White House roughly one month after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets on Feb. 28, 2026. He described the campaign as having delivered “swift, decisive, overwhelming victories” against Iranian military capabilities, according to a transcript and video of the roughly 20-minute speech.
In the address, Trump said U.S. forces had destroyed much of Iran’s navy and air force, crippled its ballistic missile program and defense industrial base, and severely degraded its ability to threaten the United States and its allies. He stated that the core strategic objectives were on track to be completed “very shortly” but indicated that intense military action would continue for another two to three weeks.
“As we speak this evening, it’s been one month since the United States military began Operation Epic Fury, targeting the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, Iran,” Trump said in the speech. “In these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield.”
U.S. Central Command reported late Wednesday that American forces had struck more than 12,300 targets across Iran since the operation began, including naval vessels, missile launchers and defense manufacturing facilities. Details on the precise impact of those strikes, including remaining Iranian capabilities, were not independently verified in real time.
Trump reiterated that the operation aims to eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, its navy, support for proxy groups and any path to a nuclear weapon. He warned that U.S. forces would “hit them extremely hard” in the coming weeks and threatened further strikes on infrastructure if Iran did not agree to terms to end the conflict.
Iranian officials have disputed U.S. claims of near-total degradation of their military. Iranian state media and military statements described ongoing capabilities and vowed retaliatory action, including missile launches toward Israel and other targets in the region following Trump’s address. Details on the effectiveness of Iranian responses remain unclear.
The conflict has involved joint U.S.-Israeli operations and Iranian counterstrikes, including attacks on U.S. and allied positions in the Gulf. Iranian sources have reported significant civilian damage and casualties from the airstrikes, while U.S. officials have emphasized targeting of military sites. Independent verification of casualty figures and broader damage assessments has been limited amid the ongoing operations.
Trump’s speech came against a backdrop of rising global oil prices linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over the duration of U.S. involvement. He urged patience, stating the United States does not seek long-term entanglement and that remaining objectives would be achieved rapidly.
As of Thursday, U.S. strikes continued, including a reported attack on a major bridge near Tehran that Iranian officials said killed at least eight people. Trump highlighted the strike on social media, saying there was “much more to follow.” Pentagon officials have indicated that high-value targets are becoming fewer, though operations persist.
No immediate ceasefire has been announced. The White House has said the administration remains open to diplomacy once U.S. objectives are met, while Iranian leaders have rejected certain U.S. characterizations of the situation.
The address marked Trump’s first formal national speech focused on the Iran operations since they began. Further updates on the military situation are expected in the coming days from U.S. defense officials.
