Donald Trump's first speech after the start of the Iran war sounded like a selection of long-known and often-stated arguments. There was nothing new in it, nor was there anything about Trump's conflict with NATO countries.
In case Americans were wondering whether Trump intended to intensify military actions against Iran or limit them - yesterday evening no answer was given. The president announced that the United States was on track to achieve its most important strategic goals, and that very soon - in two to three weeks - the war could be ended. By then, Iran would have been hit “very hard”.
The Secret Service does not share Trump's position
Trump repeated the argument that Iran was extremely dangerous because of its intention to create a nuclear bomb, and because of its large arsenal of conventional weapons and ballistic missiles, with which they would soon be able to reach the territory of the United States, Europe and other parts of the world.
Both of his assessments - that Iran was on the verge of being able to create a nuclear bomb, as well as missiles with which it could strike the territory of the United States - are not yet shared by the US intelligence services.
Trump praises the military
Trump has repeatedly praised the US military for systematically weakening the Iranian regime's ability to threaten the US and announced that the Iranian navy has been completely destroyed in the meantime, and that Iran's air force and missile program have been damaged to an "unprecedented extent".
"Just take it!"
Trump also called on other countries to take action to open the Strait of Hormuz – especially those that, unlike the United States, receive energy from the region: “They should take care of opening the strait and take the lead in doing so, because it is about protecting the oil that they are so heavily dependent on“, Trump said.
He then called on the countries in question to buy oil from the United States and said: “And finally, gather your courage - you should have done it earlier, you should have done it with us, as we asked you: go to the strait and just take it!“
Attempt to convince Americans
Trump's address to the nation seemed to aim to convince Americans of the benefits of war against Iran. And no coincidence. A new poll conducted by CNN shows that only a third of Americans support military conflict. And again, only a third believe that the president has any plan for this war at all.
Author: Carsten Künthoff ARD