Iran continues strikes across the Persian Gulf despite Trump's warning

Iran continues strikes across the Persian Gulf despite Trump's warning

April 2, 2026 6:14 AM ET
By NPR Staff

As the conflict involving Iran nears its sixth week, President Trump informed the American public on Wednesday that the United States is "on the cusp of ending Iran's sinister threat to America and the world."

In his inaugural formal address to the nation since the commencement of military actions against Iran in collaboration with Israel on February 28, Trump did not provide a specific timeline for the conclusion of the war but claimed that the U.S. was "on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly."

He cautioned of an escalation in military operations targeting Iran, extending beyond his previous expectation of a five-week campaign. "We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong," Trump articulated.

Throughout Thursday, Iran maintained its offensive against nations in the Gulf region, deploying ballistic missiles and drones, prompting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to issue a security alert concerning threats from Iran-backed militias.

Trump indicated that discussions with Iranian officials were in progress, characterizing the new leadership in Iran as "less radical and much more reasonable." However, he emphasized that should Iran fail to agree to a resolution, U.S. military forces would proceed to target key facilities, including the country's energy production sites and oil resources. "We have all the cards," he stressed. "They have none."

In reaction to Trump's remarks, Esmail Baghai, a representative of Iran's foreign ministry, asserted that Iran "will not tolerate this vicious cycle of war, negotiations and ceasefire and then repeating the same pattern." He added, "This is disastrous not only for Iran, but for the entire region and beyond. We are defending against an illegal war."

U.S. military targets in the war so far

On Wednesday evening, U.S. Central Command reported that it had conducted strikes on over 12,300 targets as part of efforts to "dismantle the Iranian regime's security apparatus." The command indicated that the military had prioritized targets presenting "imminent threats" during the ongoing conflict, stating that over 155 vessels have been damaged or destroyed since the war's onset.

Trump tells allies to step in and protect the Strait of Hormuz

In his formal address on Wednesday, Trump aimed to disentangle the United States from Iran's influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane that plays a vital role in global oil supply. He urged nations reliant on the passage to safeguard it. "The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage. They must cherish it," he declared.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that a virtual summit with 35 countries was planned to discuss the reopening of the shipping route. He reaffirmed that the United Kingdom would not take part in the conflict with Iran, asserting, "This is not our war and we're not going to get dragged into it."

Iran's president addresses American people

Just hours prior to Trump's address, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke directly to the American populace regarding the justification for the ongoing conflict, questioning what American interests are truly being served.

Additional updates

• The situation involving U.S. military operations, the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian leadership dynamics, and regional tensions continues to develop amidst the ongoing conflict.