Is the US really close to victory in its conflict with Iran? According to Donald Trump, the answer is yes. In a brief address to the nation, he asserted that the US is “getting very close” to achieving its goals, claiming that military objectives are nearly complete.
Trump stated that the US has effectively destroyed Iran’s navy and air force, and has crippled its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. He warned that if no deal is reached, the US would bomb Iran into “the Stone Ages.” However, he provided no specifics on how the war would conclude or what kind of deal he is seeking.
Public sentiment tells a different story. Recent polls show that a strong majority of Americans oppose the conflict, with only 28 percent supporting the war. Even among Republicans, support has dipped from 76 percent to 61 percent in recent surveys.
As the conflict continues, Americans are feeling the pinch at the pump, with average gas prices surpassing $4 per gallon, the highest since 2022. Trump acknowledged this impact, but did not address ongoing negotiations with Iran, which remain unconfirmed.
Trump’s speech lasted less than 20 minutes and largely reiterated familiar points. Trita Parsi, a prominent analyst, noted, “I did not detect anything new. Essentially, it was a summary of all of the tweets he has issued over the last 30 days.” Meanwhile, Jamal Abdi criticized Trump’s claims of regime change in Iran, arguing that they reflect a failure to address the real issues at hand.
As the conflict with Iran stretches into its 32nd day, the situation remains fluid. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut down by Iran, impacting global oil supply and raising concerns about future negotiations.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the status of Iran’s nuclear program and the validity of Trump’s claims about regime change. As the US military continues its operations, the future of this conflict remains uncertain.
