JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump said the United States was close to completing its military objectives in Iran.
"Tonight, I'm happy to say this core strategic objective is almost complete," he said in a speech on Operation Epic Fury, Wednesday (1/4).
Trump said in the last four weeks, the US military has achieved "a quick, decisive, and extraordinary victory."
"Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, we will continue until the goal is achieved. Now, we are on track to immediately complete all military objectives," he said.
"We're going to hit them very hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to take them back to the Stone Age, where they belong," Trump said.
Tensions have been rising since February 28, when the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran that killed more than 1,340 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles on Israel and Gulf states hosting US military assets.
A total of 13 US military personnel have been killed and about 303 others have been injured since the operation began.
Trump also remembered 13 US personnel who "gave their lives in this battle."
"Now we have to honor them by completing the mission," he said.
Trump said talks with Iran were still ongoing. He warned that if there was no deal, the US would attack all of Iran's power plants.
"We haven't attacked their oil fields, even though it's the easiest target, because it doesn't give them the opportunity to defend. However, we can attack it and it will disappear," he said.
Trump said the US no longer imports oil through the Strait of Hormuz and will not do so in the future.
He said Iran had been "devastated militarily and economically" and urged other countries to keep the shipping lanes open.
Trump also suggested countries facing energy difficulties to buy oil from the US or "gather courage" and "seize" the Strait of Hormuz.
"The hardest part is over. When the conflict ends, the strait will open by itself," he said.
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