Trump’s Iran Speech Offered Zero Answers and Backfired

President Trump delivered a national address Wednesday night intended to reassure Americans about military operations against Iran, but the speech offered few specifics on how the fighting would proceed and drew criticism for comparing the conflict to unpopular wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Trump stated "the hard part is done," referring to airstrikes he claims reopened the Strait of Hormuz, while calling on countries reliant on oil passing through the waterway to "build up some delayed courage" and secure it themselves. The U.S. and Israel bombing campaign has killed nearly 2,000 people as of March 26, and oil prices surged more than eight percent in response to the address. Leaders from more than 30 countries will meet Thursday to assess ways to reopen the strait, with officials indicating their navies would need to escort oil tankers through the passage.