Trump to give "important update on Iran" tonight in prime-time speech
President Trump is planning to deliver a prime-time address Wednesday night to "provide an important update on Iran," the White House said, as the president faces critical decisions in the monthlong war.
Updated on: April 1, 2026 / 12:12 AM EDT / CBS News
President Trump is planning to deliver a prime-time address Wednesday night to "provide an important update on Iran," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on X .
Leavitt did not give any other details on the address, which is set for 9 p.m. ET. But it comes at an important time in the monthlong conflict with Iran, as Mr. Trump publicly signals that he is looking to strike a deal with Iran and wrap the war up in a matter of weeks — and as he privately weighs whether to use ground forces, CBS News reported earlier this month.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier Tuesday that the "upcoming days will be decisive."
Mr. Trump told reporters Tuesday afternoon he expects the war with Iran to end in "two weeks, maybe three," arguing that the U.S.'s core objective of degrading Iran's military has largely been achieved. He has also said any countries that rely on Middle Eastern petroleum should be responsible for getting their oil through the Strait of Hormuz themselves, hinting that the U.S. may not take a leading role in reopening the key waterway, which Iran has effectively shut down.
The president told CBS News' Weijia Jiang on Tuesday he isn't prepared to withdraw U.S. forces from efforts to push Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz "quite yet," but other countries "have to come in and take care of it."