Trump Vows to End Iranian Threat as Regional Strikes Continue

President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Tehran in a Wednesday national address, asserting the United States is close to ending the Iranian threat. Trump stated that U.S. forces would intensify strikes for an additional two to three weeks if necessary to force a deal, claiming that the U.S. holds "all the cards." Despite these warnings, Iran and its proxies have continued drone and missile strikes directed at Israel and various Gulf states through Thursday, April 2. On the ground, U.S. Central Command reports a massive air campaign that has hit more than 12,300 targets. These include IRGC command centers, drone facilities, ballistic missile sites, and 155 vessels. Energy infrastructure has also been targeted, following through on Trump’s earlier threats to strike oil plants if a diplomatic resolution is not reached. While global oil markets have not seen a fresh spike in the last 24 hours, the sustained bombardment of Iranian energy assets continues to pose a risk to long-term supply. In Baghdad, the U.S. Embassy has issued a security alert for expatriates and staff due to the potential for retaliatory strikes by Iran-backed militias. Amid the military escalation, President Trump noted that recent leadership changes in Iran have introduced "less radical" figures who may be open to negotiations, hinting at potential back-channel diplomatic progress. However, Iranian officials remain defiant, warning of "everlasting consequences" and continued retaliation for U.S. actions.