President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday regarding U.S. military operations in Iran. The address will provide an ‘important update’ following one month of combat, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt via X.

Operation Epic Fury Update

The President is expected to provide an operational update on “Operation Epic Fury.” A White House official stated that Trump will likely reiterate his previously stated timeline of a two-to-three week drawdown for the operation. He initially shared this timeline with reporters on Tuesday.

Reported Military Successes

The official further explained that Trump will emphasize the U.S. military’s success in achieving its stated goals. These goals include destroying Iran’s ballistic missiles and production facilities, crippling their Navy, neutralizing terrorist proxies, and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Ceasefire Claims and U.S. Conditions

President Trump stated on Wednesday, via Truth Social, that Iran has requested a ceasefire. However, he indicated the U.S. is not open to negotiations until the Strait of Hormuz is open for shipping. He declared, “We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear.”

Trump added a strong warning, stating, “Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!”

Iranian Response

Esmail Baghaei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, refuted Trump’s claim of a ceasefire request, calling it “false and baseless” in a statement to Iranian state TV.

NATO and Allied Support

Trump has expressed frustration with the level of military support from allied countries in the Middle East. He revealed he is strongly considering withdrawing the U.S. from NATO, stating, “I was never swayed by NATO.”

He criticized the lack of reciprocal support, saying, “Ukraine wasn’t our problem…They weren’t there for us.”

European Restrictions

Several European allies have restricted U.S. military access. Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in strikes, and France is limiting overflights carrying military supplies. The average price of a gallon of gas has surpassed $4, a level not seen since 2022.

Military Deployment and Casualties

Despite suggestions that U.S. objectives are nearing completion, thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne division and a 2,500-Marine task force from the USS Tripoli have recently arrived in the Central Command theater. Additionally, the USS George H.W. Bush has joined the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region.

Operation Epic Fury began on February 28th. Since then, U.S. forces have reportedly struck over 12,000 targets within Iran and damaged or destroyed 155 naval ships, according to Central Command. The operations have resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and injuries to 350.