Trump Claims 'Crushing Victory' in Iran and Threatens Energy Grid Strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time address to the nation on April 1, 2026 (local time), declaring that American forces had achieved "swift and crushing victories" during the first four weeks of Operation Epic Fury and warning that the United States would strike Iranian power plants "probably simultaneously" within the next two to three weeks if no agreement is reached. Trump stated that Iran's capabilities for drone and missile attacks had been "drastically reduced," that Iranian weapons factories and missile launchers were being "smashed to dust," and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was being "decimated at this moment." He declared that the Iranian Navy was "destroyed" and the air force was "in shambles," and added that the United States had also eliminated Iranian leaders. Trump thanked regional allies — Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain — and assured them: "We will not allow them to be harmed."

„In the four weeks of operation Epic Fury, our armed forces have achieved decisive and overwhelming victories on the battlefield.” — Donald Trump via TVN24

Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes against Iran. The initial strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, was subsequently appointed Supreme Leader on March 9, 2026. The war has killed thousands and disrupted global energy trade, with Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation, driving oil prices above $100 per barrel, according to reporting by Reuters and Politico.

Hormuz blockade puts pressure on European and Gulf allies Trump reiterated that the United States "does not need the Strait of Hormuz" and placed responsibility for unblocking the strategically vital waterway on the countries that depend on it. He stated that nations using the strait "should take care of unblocking it themselves," while expressing confidence that after the conflict ends, the strait "will open naturally." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump had urged European allies to "build up some delayed courage" and "go get your own oil," according to Politico. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven oil prices above $100 per barrel and created knock-on effects across global energy markets. Trump also posted on Truth Social earlier that day that the "President of the new Iranian Regime" had asked the United States for a ceasefire, adding the condition: "We will consider when the Strait of Hormuz is wide open, free, and clear."

„We have all the cards, they have none.” — Donald Trump via Rzeczpospolita

Iran denies talks, but intermediaries reportedly active Iranian officials denied reports of ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington, creating an information gap around the diplomatic track. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that he had received messages from U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff but did not consider this to constitute negotiations. Reuters, citing an anonymous source, reported that U.S. Vice President JD Vance had spoken with Pakistani intermediaries about the war as recently as Tuesday, conveying that Trump is open to a ceasefire provided U.S. demands — including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz — are met. The same source indicated that Vance also passed a warning that Trump is losing patience and that American forces would continue destroying Iranian infrastructure until Tehran agrees. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as acting National Security Advisor, along with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, remained involved in the talks, according to Reuters. An Axios journalist reported, citing three anonymous U.S. officials, that talks between Washington and Tehran were ongoing, with a ceasefire linked to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, though it remained unclear whether any agreement was within reach.

Trump calls NATO a 'paper tiger,' raising withdrawal fears Separately, Trump made sharp remarks about NATO during an Easter meeting at the White House, calling the alliance a "paper tiger" and stating he is considering withdrawing the United States from it. He said he had made requests of NATO allies and found them wanting, adding: "The last thing I needed was NATO getting in our way." Earlier on Wednesday, Trump told both Reuters and the British daily The Telegraph that he was seriously considering a U.S. withdrawal from the alliance. Steve Bannon, Trump's former White House chief strategist, told Politico that the president's address would include "dumping on the NATO allies," framing the Hormuz situation as Europe's and the Gulf states' problem to solve. According to CNN, citing White House sources, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to arrive at the White House next week for a meeting with Trump. The remarks deepened uncertainty among European allies already navigating the economic fallout from the Iran war and the Hormuz closure.

„We smashed Iran. The last thing I needed was NATO getting in our way, because it is a paper tiger.” — Donald Trump via wnp.pl