JUST IN: President Trump Vows to Hit Iran “Extremely Hard” Over Next 2-3 Weeks — “We’re Going to Bring Them Back to the Stone Ages”

JUST IN: In a fiery prime-time address to the nation, President Donald Trump declared that U.S. forces will intensify strikes on Iran over the coming two to three weeks, stating “we’re going to hit them extremely hard” and “bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong,” while insisting core objectives of Operation Epic Fury are nearing completion.

By Reflecto News Staff
April 2, 2026

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump used his first televised national address since the start of the conflict to deliver a strong defense of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, announcing a sharp escalation in strikes over the next two to three weeks while projecting confidence that major goals will be achieved “very fast.”

“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” Trump said. “We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong.” He added that the United States is “going to finish the job” and “finish it very fast,” claiming that Iran’s navy, drone capabilities, ballistic missile forces, and other key assets have been “decimated.”

The remarks mark a more aggressive tone even as Trump claimed “core strategic objectives are nearing completion” after just over a month of Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28, 2026.

Highlights from Trump’s Address

In the roughly 20-minute speech from the White House, Trump emphasized:

• Significant damage inflicted on Iranian military infrastructure, including repeated strikes on IRGC facilities and missile bases such as those in Isfahan.
• The need for continued intense pressure to ensure Iran can never develop a nuclear weapon.
• A link between the military campaign and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, though he suggested the waterway would “open up naturally” once objectives are met, and that the U.S. would not take primary responsibility for securing shipping.
• Acknowledgment of American casualties while framing the operation as an “investment in the future of our children and grandchildren.”

Trump also referenced earlier discussions, including a Pentagon briefing on a high-risk plan involving U.S. troops and cargo planes to seize Iran’s remaining highly enriched uranium stockpile.

Escalation Amid Ongoing Operations

The vow of intensified action over the next 2-3 weeks comes as:

• The U.S. has already doubled its A-10 Warthog fleet in the Middle East for close air support and maritime interdiction against Iranian fast-attack boats.
• Strikes have targeted leadership figures, nuclear-related sites, air defenses, and naval assets.
• Iran continues to enforce its selective “toll booth” system in the Strait of Hormuz, charging approved vessels fees in yuan or crypto while restricting others, contributing to global energy price volatility.

Iranian Reactions and Defiant Stance

Iranian officials are expected to respond strongly. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently warned that President Trump “must change his approach” and stop using threats, declaring “no one can set deadlines for us.” Tehran has repeatedly denied engaging in serious ceasefire talks through mediators and insists that assassinations and strikes have not weakened its institutions or resolve.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has appealed directly to the American public in a letter, stating that Iran “harbors no enmity towards ordinary Americans” and that portraying Iran as a threat does not align with historical or current realities. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has been reported in good health, with officials promising a possible public appearance soon to project stability.

International and Economic Fallout

The address comes just days before the UK hosts a virtual meeting of around 35 countries to discuss diplomatic ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized political solutions and avoided committing the UK to direct military involvement.

Global oil prices rose following the speech amid fears of prolonged disruption and further escalation. Shipping through the critical chokepoint remains severely restricted, affecting energy markets worldwide.

Implications

Trump’s “Stone Ages” rhetoric signals a determination to deliver overwhelming force in the short term, potentially including expanded targeting of infrastructure. However, it also risks hardening Iranian resistance and complicating any future diplomatic off-ramps.

U.S. intelligence assessments have indicated that Iran is currently unwilling to engage in serious talks, believing it can endure the pressure. A ground operation to seize highly enriched uranium — if approved — would represent a dramatic further escalation.

Whether the intensified campaign over the next 2-3 weeks forces concessions, leads to a ceasefire, or prolongs the conflict remains to be seen. The coming weeks will test both sides’ resolve as military, diplomatic, and economic pressures converge.

Reflecto News will provide live updates on any Iranian response, developments from the UK-hosted meeting, military actions in the region, and market reactions.

Related Coverage on Reflecto News:

• President Trump Briefed on Plan to Seize Iran’s Highly Enriched Uranium
• Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi Warns Trump: “Must Change His Approach”
• UK to Host Meeting of 35 Countries on Reopening Strait of Hormuz
• Iran’s “Toll Booth” Regime in the Strait of Hormuz
• Operation Epic Fury: Aftermath of Strikes on IRGC Missile Base in Isfahan
• Iranian President Pezeshkian’s Letter to Americans: “No Enmity Towards Ordinary Americans”

This report is based on President Trump’s prime-time address and reporting from multiple major news outlets.