Trump Says Strikes on Iran Will Intensify; Markets Shake as Oil, Gold, and Stocks Fluctuate | WPN World People News

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a national address on the morning of the 2nd (Taiwan time), outlining the latest developments in military operations against Iran and emphasizing that the United States has gained a significant advantage on the battlefield. He stated that after one month of operations, Iran’s military system—including its naval and air capabilities as well as its command structure—has been severely damaged. He also claimed that the overall situation is developing in a favorable direction and that the military objectives are “very close” to being achieved.

Trump reiterated his long-standing position that Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. He warned that if the conflict is not resolved through negotiations, military actions will continue to expand. He added that stronger attacks will be launched within the next two to three weeks, potentially targeting energy facilities, and described the intention to push the opponent back to the “Stone Age.” He also claimed that Iran’s leadership has been severely weakened, that changes are occurring within the regime, and called on allies to participate in regional security operations.

However, the speech has drawn attention and scrutiny. Some analysts noted that his remarks do not differ significantly from his previous positions and lack specific details on how the conflict would conclude. Fact-checking has also indicated that Iran does not currently possess nuclear weapons capability, suggesting a gap between the actual threat level and Trump’s claims. At the same time, his earlier pledge to avoid new wars has been questioned by some political groups.

In the markets, Trump’s tough rhetoric shattered prior expectations of a ceasefire, triggering sharp volatility in financial markets. International oil prices surged due to supply concerns, while gold dropped significantly amid shifting capital flows and changing interest rate expectations. Asian stock markets also declined, with Taiwan’s stock market reversing earlier gains and extending losses. Overall, investor sentiment has turned more cautious, reflecting concerns over escalating conflict and rising inflationary pressures.