President Donald Trump don address America for Wednesday night, yarn say US military don almost achieve wetin dem dey find for Iran war. But as e dey talk for White House, di president no give any clear timeline for when dis war go end. E just promise say dem go “finish di job” soon, and even threaten say dem go bomb Iran go back to “Stone Age” if dem no cooperate.
For im 19-minute speech wey dem broadcast live, Trump yarn say US don destroy Iran navy and air force proper. E claim say dem don cripple Iran ballistic missile and nuclear programs well-well. “We get all di cards,” Trump yarn. “Dem no get any.” But many analysts quick notice say di speech no bring any new information. E just repeat wetin Trump don dey talk for weeks.
Sina Azodi, wey be assistant professor of Middle East Politics for George Washington University, tell Al Jazeera say: “I no see any point for di speech. E just repeat everything wey e don talk before.” Trita Parsi from Quincy Institute also add im own voice, say: “Because nothing new dey inside, e show say Trump no really get plan.”
One big matter wey Trump no address well na di Strait of Hormuz. Iran don block dis important waterway wey carry plenty world oil. Trump yarn say countries wey dey depend on Gulf oil should take lead to open di strait. “Dem fit do am easily,” e yarn. “We go help, but dem suppose take lead to protect di oil wey dem dey depend on.” But Britain, France and other US allies don already talk say dem go only help open di strait after war don finish.
Trump even threaten to withdraw from NATO because of dis matter. E tell Reuters earlier for Wednesday say e go talk about US relationship with NATO for im speech, but e never mention di alliance at all for di address.
Meanwhile, Americans dey feel di pain for petrol pump. Average gas prices don pass $4 per gallon dis week – di highest since 2022. Trump acknowledge say many Americans dey worry about rising gasoline prices, but e insist say di increase na temporary. E blame Iran for “deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers.”
For di same time wey Trump dey give im speech, air sirens dey blow for Doha and Tel Aviv. Qatar even talk say one cruise missile from Iran don hit QatarEnergy LNG ship for coast. Bahrain issue warning for residents to run go safe place because of incoming Iranian attack. All dis happen just as Trump dey claim say Iran ability to retaliate don reduce well-well.
Trump also make strong claim about regime change for Iran. “Regime change no be our goal,” e yarn. “But regime change don happen because all dia original leaders don die. Dem all don die.” US-Israeli attacks don kill Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top officials, but Jamal Abdi from National Iranian American Council laugh am off. “Trump no change di regime; if anything, e don sharpen am to im hardest core,” Abdi tell Al Jazeera.
Public opinion polls show say plenty Americans no support di war. Reuters/Ipsos survey show say 60% of voters disapprove of di war, while 35% approve. About 66% say US suppose work to end im involvement quickly, even if dat mean dem no achieve all dia goals.
For Tuesday, Trump don show im annoyance with reporter Libbey Dean from NewsNation. Di reporter ask if Iran get to make deal before US stop military operations. “No, Iran no get to make deal, no,” Trump answer. When Dean interrupt im answer, Trump scold am: “Wait minute. You want make I answer di question? You be fresh person. We don get plenty problems with you, abi?”
Trump add say e don talk to “a lot of people” from Iran new regime. E claim say dem tell am: “We get present for you, Mr. President, out of respect.” But Iranian officials quick deny say any negotiations dey happen. Dem accuse Washington of fabricating reports about diplomacy to manipulate energy markets.
As thousands of additional US troops dey sail go Gulf region, Trump administration officials dey float ideas like physical operation to seize Iran remaining stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. Ground operations to seize strategic lands like parts of Iran coastline and Kharg Island also dey for table.
Trump ask Americans to “keep dis conflict in perspective,” remind dem say prior wars for Iraq, Vietnam and Korea take longer US involvement. But for many citizens wey dey watch petrol prices dey rise and di war dey drag, patience dey run thin. Di president promise of victory no dey match di daily reality wey dem dey see for gas stations and grocery stores.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
