US-Iran war: Donald Trump’s address to the nation with ‘important update’ Middle East conflict
US President Donald Trump is set to deliver a rare address to the nation within hours, sharing an important update on war in the Middle East. This is what we know.
US President Donald Trump is set to deliver a rare address to the nation within hours, sharing an important update on the war with Iran and the conflict in the Middle East.
A national address in the US is a rare occurrence, with previous examples including announcing the completion of Operation Midnight Hammer, the death of Osama Bin Laden and to tell US citizens that America was under attack after 9/11.
Here’s what we know so far:
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.What time is Donald Trump’s address to the nation?
Donald Trump will deliver an address to the nation at 9pm ET, which is 12pm (AEDT) and 9am (AWST).
According to the US President’s official schedule, he will appear on camera from the White House, most likely from the Oval Office.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the address, writing: “President Trump will give an Address to the Nation to provide an important update on Iran.”
How to watch Donald Trump’s national address from Australia
Donald Trump’s address to the nation will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7Plus in Seven’s National News at Noon presented by Natarsha Belling.
What is Donald Trump doing before the address?
Mr Trump’s schedule for Wednesday US time is intriguing.
For a six-hour period before Mr Trump’s address, he is participating in closed-door policy meetings.
His schedule does not detail who is in the room with him.
What will Donald Trump say in his address?
The US President has shown more signs that his patience with Iran is wearing thin. He has moved the goal post for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and remove pressures on the global oil supply chain for weeks now.
He has also increasingly started to indicate he is ready to pull out of Iran with or without a deal.
Although his objectives in Iran may not have been clear when it was first waged, recently the message has become more succinct: Remove Iran’s ability to threaten or influence the US or allies.
A White House release on Wednesday said: “Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. military is executing this mission with unmatched power and precision.”
“From day one, the objectives have been clear and unwavering: obliterate Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production capability, annihilate its navy, sever its support for terrorist proxies, and ensure the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism never acquires a nuclear weapon.”
Mr Trump claims his administration is speaking with a new regime in Iran, something the existing political structure rejects.
On Wednesday morning US time, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran had asked for a ceasefire deal.
“Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalised and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!,” he wrote.
“We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear.”
“Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”
Mr Trump’s commitment to “blasting Iran into oblivion” echoes comments made by his press secretary.
Ms Leavitt has said in recent days that the US President “does not bluff” and was prepared to “unleash hell” on Iran.
The Nightly will bring you the breaking details from US President Donald Trump’s address to the nation at 12pm AEDT, 9am AWST in our live blog.
