US ‘On the Cusp’ of Ending Iran Threat: Donald Trump

Donald Trump on Wednesday (US time) warned that Iran could face severe military action in the coming weeks, stating that Washington's action against the Islamic Republic is "on the cusp" of ending what he described as Tehran's "sinister threat" to the US and the world.

Delivering his address to the nation, the United States President said Iran would be hit "extremely hard" over the next two to three weeks even as diplomatic talks continue to end the conflict that has been ongoing for over a month.

He claimed there has been a "regime change" following ongoing US and Israel military action in Tehran but clarified it was not an official objective.

"We never said regime change, but regime change has occurred because of the deaths of all of their original leaders. They're all dead," he said.

Trump asserted that military operations would continue until Washington's objectives are achieved.

"Thanks to the progress we've made, I can say we are on track to complete all of America's objectives shortly, very shortly," he added.

Is Trump Planning Strikes on Iran’s Critical Infrastructure if No Deal Is Reached?

He warned that failure to reach a deal could lead to strikes on critical infrastructure.

"If no deal is reached, we are going to hit every one of their electric generating plants very hard, and probably simultaneously," he stated.

"Tonight, every American can look forward to a day when we are finally free from the wickedness of Iranian aggression and the spectre of nuclear blackmail. Because of the actions we have taken, we are on the cusp of ending Iran's sinister threat to America and the world," he added.

Trump also called on oil importing nations to take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the burden should be shared.

He said these countries "[they] should have done it before, should have done it with us, as we asked," and urged them to "go to the strait and just take it, protect it."

Maintaining that the US is "getting very close" to its targets, he said, "We are gonna finish the job."

He expressed gratitude toward regional partners including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, noting they have "been great" and vowing that the US "will not let them fail in any way, shape or form."

Portraying the conflict as a "true investment in your children and your grandchildren's future," Trump said the global community is observing American military capability with awe.

"The whole world is watching, and they can't leave the power, strength and brilliance. They just can't believe what they're seeing," he remarked.

He reiterated that military action is necessary to prevent Tehran from "acquiring a nuclear weapon," even as he acknowledged concerns at home over rising fuel costs.

"Many Americans have been concerned to see the recent rise in gasoline prices here at home," he said, noting prices have increased by over 25 per cent.

Describing the spike as a "short-term increase," he attributed it to "the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers," adding that such actions are "yet more proof that Iran can never be trusted with nuclear weapons."

(With inputs from ANI)