On April 2, Donald Trump addressed the nation, warning of potentially powerful strikes against Iran in the next two to three weeks if Tehran does not agree to the proposed deal. He stated that the U.S. is prepared to destroy Iranian infrastructure to pressure the country's leadership. These remarks coincided with escalating exchanges between Iran, Israel, and U.S. bases in the Middle East, which have already led to a 5% rise in oil prices.
Trump also warned that he may suspend weapon supplies to Ukraine if Europe does not help restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This issue has sparked discussion within NATO, with some member states expressing concerns about collective defense. The U.S. defense minister has avoided giving firm guarantees to allies.
In his speech, Trump named combating Iran's 'terrorist regime' as the primary U.S. objective in the Middle East and criticized China and Pakistan for urging restraint from strikes on civilian infrastructure. He underlined that the U.S. is no longer dependent on the region's resources and that American forces are there mainly to support allies, including Israel and Gulf states.
Trump reiterated his criticism of aid to Ukraine, emphasizing expenses without sufficient return. He thanked allies but described relations with Ukraine as economically disadvantageous for the U.S. Meanwhile, American forces are deploying additional equipment to the Middle East, possibly hinting at preparations for a larger operation.
U.S. intelligence reports Iran is not ready for peace talks, and mutual trust among Washington, Tehran, and Moscow remains low. Amid these developments, Trump stresses the final decision on NATO remains his, but legally the president cannot unilaterally withdraw the country from the alliance.
Shelling continues in the Middle East and in Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most drones, but some hit infrastructure and cities. Ukraine announced the development of a new domestically produced ballistic missile with a range of up to 850 km. Despite uncertainty in international politics, the situation remains dynamic.
