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During a White House Medal of Honour ceremony, US President Donald Trump addressed the nation’s military actions against Iran for the first time. He responded to earlier critiques about his lack of clarity on war objectives and hinted that the conflict might extend longer than initially expected.
Here are the main points from his address:
Potential for an extended conflict
President Trump noted that the initial four-week timeline he had proposed for the conflict might be prolonged.
“Initially, we estimated four to five weeks, but we have the ability to extend this period significantly,” he stated, emphasizing that the US is “well ahead of our projected schedule.”
Alarmingly, he also told CNN that there would be an escalation in the assault on Iran. “The big wave hasn’t even happened,” he said. “The big one is coming soon.”
Four key objectives
Trump’s virtual silence on his justifications and goals for his attack on Iran had sparked criticism from members of his Make America Great Again movement, who bought into his pledges to end foreign wars.
So today he was determined to lay out some clear aim for Operation Epic Fury, which were:
1. Destroying Iran’s missile capabilities
2. Annihilating its navy
3. Preventing nuclear weapon acquisition
4. Stopping the regime from arming and funding terrorist proxies abroad
Troops on the ground?
Trump has refused to rule out boots on the ground in Iran, saying he doesn’t shy away from the option like other presidents, amid reports of more US forces deploying to the region.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said today the US didn’t yet have troops on the ground in Iran — but the option had not been ruled out.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US war against Iran would not drag on like those against Iraq and Afghanistan. Source: AAP / Mark Schiefelbein/AP
However, the Iraq veteran insisted the campaign would not drag on like past long-running US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“This is not Iraq. This is not endless,” he said.
— Caroline Riches with Reuters and Agence France Presse