Trump Suggests Both Peace and Harder Strikes on Iran
US President Donald Trump says the US-Israeli war with Iran could be over in weeks, but also threatened harder strikes. Iran's president, meanwhile, has appealed to US citizens, saying his country has no quarrel with them. As the war drags into its second month, people in both Iran and the US are drawing their own conclusions about the fighting.
War With Iran: Divided Perspectives and Global Impact
REPORTER:
US President Donald Trump walks to a podium to address his country for the first time on its war with Iran. He repeats his rationale for US-Israeli strikes on the country—hitting Iran's military, its missile program, and above all, its alleged nuclear ambitions. And alongside promises the war may just be a few weeks from ending, threats of even more punishing strikes.
Donald Trump (US PRESIDENT):
If there is no deal, we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants very hard and probably simultaneously we have not hit their oil, even though that's the easiest target of all, because it would not give them even a small chance of survival or rebuilding. But we could hit it, and it would be gone.
REPORTER:
Iran says Trump’s claims about peace talks are not true. It’s now also taking its message to the American people.
President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a letter to US citizens on Wednesday, Iran’s national day. In it, he says Iran’s enmity is with the US government, not civilians, and he blames Israel for the conflict. That letter was read aloud by an anchor on state TV.
No name given:
Is it not that the US stepped into this war as a proxy for Israel, manipulated by that regime? Is it not true that now Israel has now decided that they will fight with Iran until the last American soldier and American cent? Impose the expenses on Iran, America, and the countries of the region, and for it to stay in the safe margin? And today, is America really on the list of America's priorities?
REPORTER:
But many Iranians and Americans have already made their own minds up about this war.
Some Iranians—like these mourners gathered Wednesday to remember Iran’s slain naval commander—have decided there's little point in a ceasefire given all the bloodshed.
Beiranvand (RESIDENT):
To be honest, as an ordinary member of this society, I don’t want one. I want us, as much as we can, to have revenge for our leader, revenge for our commanders, and for all these children and young people. We have given so many of our youth, teenagers, and children.
REPORTER:
While other Iranians see a chance for an exit.
Seyyed Hadi Hashemi (UNIVERSITY TEACHER):
If the war ends tomorrow, we will welcome it. In the case that the enemy, based on the orders that our new supreme leader, our new Khamenei, has issued, must pay our compensation.
REPORTER:
In the US, the war does have its supporters. That includes those who remember the Iranian capture of the US embassy and its staff nearly 50 years ago.
Terry Felt (VIRGINIA RESIDENT):
I was alive, I was in high school in 1979 when they took the hostages. And, I remember when Reagan came in and I believe in might, I believe in strength. So I think he's doing a good job.
REPORTER:
A Reuters/Ipsos poll from the end of March found two-thirds of Americans want the US out quickly, even if Trump’s war goals aren’t achieved.
REPORTER:
Whatever people may think of this war, and no matter how soon it might end, its impacts are still tangible around the world.
In Iran, US-Israeli strikes continue—with rescuers like here in the capital Tehran left to treat the injured and sift through the rubble for survivors.
REPORTER:
And the energy crisis the war has sparked—with Iran choking off the critical Strait of Hormuz—is still a global problem.
REPORTER:
Following Trump’s address, Asian stocks tumbled while Brent crude oil, the international standard, spiked 5%. Even if the war does end in a matter of weeks, rebuilding could take much longer, and the pain of this conflict will continue far beyond the Middle East.
