In his first live address since the Iran campaign began, President Donald Trump defended the decision to launch the assault even as polling shows most Americans oppose it. He argued that a “sick and evil regime” potentially armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons had created an unacceptable threat. Earlier, he also avoided ruling out the possibility of sending U.S. ground forces.

Trump said Monday that American planners initially expected the conflict to last roughly four to five weeks, but he stressed that the United States is prepared to continue “far beyond that” if needed. Speaking from the White House, he described the offensive as “our last and best opportunity” to confront Tehran’s leadership, adding, “We will win easily.”

He delivered the remarks during a Medal of Honor ceremony for veterans of the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. Until then, Trump had only issued prerecorded messages, posted on his Truth Social platform or given phone interviews. His appearance coincided with fresh polling showing the political risks: a Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted after the initial strikes found 27 percent support the war, 43 percent oppose it and 29 percent remain unsure.

Trump said the United States had previously “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure during last June’s “Midnight Hammer” operation and warned Tehran not to rebuild it. He claimed Iran ignored the warning and continued pursuing nuclear weapons, while rapidly accelerating development of ballistic missiles he described as a growing threat to U.S. forces and allies.

“The regime already had missiles capable of striking Europe and our bases, both in the region and overseas, and it was close to obtaining missiles capable of reaching our beautiful America,” he said.

He argued that Iran’s expanding missile arsenal was intended to protect its nuclear ambitions and deter outside intervention. “An Iranian regime equipped with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would have been an intolerable threat to the Middle East and to the American people. Our country was under threat,” he said.

Trump maintained he had attempted to resolve the crisis diplomatically. “We thought we had a deal,” he said. “But then they backed out. I said you can’t negotiate with these people. You have to act the right way.” He also attacked the nuclear agreement brokered under the Obama administration, saying, “We signed with them in our great stupidity.”

He laid out the objectives of the operation, saying it would continue “as long as required.” The goals include eliminating Iran’s missile capabilities and production sites, crippling its navy, preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons and cutting off its ability to arm or direct proxy forces outside its borders. Although he did not list regime change as a formal aim, he again urged Iranians to rise up against their leaders. He pushed back on suggestions he would grow tired of the conflict, noting that the United States had expected it would take four weeks to eliminate Iran’s military leadership but completed the task “in about an hour.”

In an interview with the New York Post earlier Monday, Trump declined to commit to keeping U.S. ground forces out of the conflict, saying he avoids blanket statements. He added that he believes ground troops are unlikely to be needed but would consider them if the situation required it.

Trump insisted he had made “the right thing” in ordering the operation and dismissed negative polling. He argued that allowing “crazy people” to obtain nuclear weapons would have posed a far greater threat than the prospect of a broader regional war.

In a separate interview with CNN, he warned that “the big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon,” suggesting a possible escalation ahead. He also said he was surprised by what he described as Iranian attacks on Arab states, claiming that countries once expected to remain only marginal participants now “want to fight.” In an interview with Fox News, Trump asserted that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed during a breakfast meeting with senior advisers, assuming the United States and Israel would avoid striking during daylight hours.

Meanwhile, Iranian forces targeted oil infrastructure and other sites across a 2,000-kilometer swath of the region, from the Gulf of Oman – where a drone-laden boat struck an oil tanker – to Cyprus, hitting a British military base.

The US military said Kuwait’s air defenses accidentally shot down three American F-15E fighters during an Iranian attack, though all six crew members were safely recovered. Video footage showed one of the planes spiraling out of control before crashing in a fireball.

Black smoke rose near the US embassy in Kuwait amid a heavy presence of security personnel, ambulances, and fire trucks. Explosions were reported in Dubai and Samha in the UAE, and in Doha, Qatar. Saudi Arabia shut its largest refinery after drone strikes triggered a fire, part of a wider wave of attacks on oil installations.

In the first strike to hit US allies in Europe, a drone targeted Britain’s Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus overnight. Both Britain and Cyprus reported only limited damage and no casualties.

The campaign to topple Iran’s leadership marks one of the boldest US foreign policy moves in decades. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for Iranians to rise up and said the air campaign could continue for weeks. “The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon,” he told CNN.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that the campaign’s objectives are to destroy Iran’s navy, its ballistic missile program, and its nuclear weapons potential. He emphasized that the United States will not become mired in the conflict, stating, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless.”

B-2 stealth bombers reportedly struck Iranian missile facilities with 2,000-pound bombs. Trump said 10 Iranian warships were sunk and the navy’s headquarters largely destroyed.

Within Iran, residents jammed highways to escape the bombings, expressing a mixture of fear and excitement. One Tehran resident described Monday’s bombardment as the heaviest yet, hitting hospitals and clinics. “We are becoming like Gaza,” he said. Another, Hosna, a 45-year-old lawyer, said: “Every time we hear the noises [of explosions], we get scared for just a second. But we experience some joy and excitement every time we hear a strike.”

The Iranian Red Crescent reported 555 deaths and attacks on over 130 cities. Israeli officials said Monday’s strikes targeted regime command centers and senior leaders. In Israel, 11 people have been killed Hy’d, while 52 died in Lebanon, authorities said.

European allies initially criticized Trump’s war decision as failing to meet the legal threshold of an imminent threat but later agreed to assist in suppressing Iran’s capacity to retaliate. A senior White House official said Washington plans to eventually engage Tehran but will continue “Operation Epic Fury” for now.

Iran’s temporary leadership, including elected president Masoud Pezeshkian and members of the judiciary and guardian council, has taken over Khamenei’s duties. Ali Larijani, head of Tehran’s supreme national security council, said on X that Iran would not negotiate with Trump, accusing him of “delusional ambitions” and warning the country is ready for a prolonged conflict.

Missiles fired toward central Israel were intercepted, though booms rattled windows in Jerusalem. An Israeli military spokesperson said the reduced overnight attacks were a result of Israeli operations weakening Iran’s military capabilities. Hezbollah’s involvement, he added, was a strategic error.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been halted, disrupting about a fifth of global oil trade. Oil prices surged sharply, while stock markets fell. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported striking three US and UK oil tankers and military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain with drones and missiles. Hundreds of vessels, including oil and gas tankers, were forced to anchor nearby.

Global air travel has been heavily affected as major Middle Eastern airports remain closed due to airstrikes.

The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Monday that it had no evidence of Israeli or US attacks hitting Iran’s nuclear facilities, despite an Iranian claim of targeting one the previous day. Rafael Grossi, the agency’s chief, confirmed that any existing nuclear installations appear to have been largely spared during this campaign.