Washington: United States President Donald Trump, during an address to the American nation, stated that the United States is close to achieving all of its military objectives. However, he warned that within the next two to three weeks, extremely intense attacks would be carried out against Iran.

In his nearly 20-minute speech, Donald Trump urged allied countries to step forward to ensure the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, or alternatively, to purchase American oil.

Speaking further about the ongoing war against Iran, the U.S. President said, 'The United States is systematically eliminating the Iranian government's ability to threaten America or to project power beyond its borders.'

He staunchly defended his handling of the month-old U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. He said the U.S. is nearing completion of its main objectives in Iran. He said there would be aggressive strikes on Iran over the next two to three weeks. "We're going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong," he said.

Trump was not clear about whether U.S. military operations could end even before Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway on which it has a chokehold that has created the worst global energy shock in history. He said the United States does not need the Strait of Hormuz, and challenged U.S. allies who rely on oil from the region to work toward reopening it.

Despite Trump's claims of having destroyed Iran's conventional military capabilities, Tehran has demonstrated that its remaining missiles and drones can still be used to target Israel as well as U.S. allies in the Gulf and American military installations housed on their land.

Trump said discussions were ongoing with Iranian leaders he considered less radical than previous leaders.

He said the rise in gas prices caused by the war would be short term.

Stocks fell and oil prices rose sharply after Trump's speech, with investors disappointed that a clearer path to swiftly ending the conflict was not spelled out.