President Trump on Wednesday addressed the nation with an update on the Iran war, where he announced that the US is close to completing all objectives of Operation Epic Fury and appeared to signal an approaching end to the war regardless of whether Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
The President spoke for just over 18 and a half minutes in his Wednesday night address.
During the address, Trump declared, “tonight, I’m pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion” after highlighting the decimation of Iran’s Navy, Air Force, missile progran, and ability to support terrorist proxies.
With regard to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked by targeting oil tankers navigating the critical shipping artery, Trump said, “The United States imports almost no oil through the Hormuz Strait, and won’t be taking any in the future. We don’t need it. We haven’t needed it, and we don’t need it.”
He continued, “The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage. They must cherish it. They must grab it and cherish it. They can do it easily. We will be helpful, but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on.”
“Go to the Strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves,” Trump demanded, adding, “Iran has been essentially decimated. The hard part is done. So, it should be easy.” If countries do not step up and finish off Iran, he said, “buy oil from the United States of America. We have plenty. We have so much.”
Still, “In any event, when this conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally,” Trump said, noting Iran’s dependence on the flow of oil through the Strait.
Hellbound and Down 