Iran live updates: IRGC says Strait of Hormuz will 'never' revert to pre-war state

As part of his plea for patience from U.S. voters, the president ticked through the timeline of American involvement in earlier conflicts.

"World War I lasted one year, seven months and five days," he said. "World War II lasted for three years, eight months and 25 days." He added references to Korea, Vietnam and Iraq - noting Vietnam's nearly 20-year U.S. commitment.

Action in Iran has spanned 32 days by comparison, Trump said, and been "so powerful, so brilliant" that "one of the most powerful countries" is "really no longer a threat."

A recent AP-NORC poll found that 6 out of 10 U.S. adults said Trump's actions in Iran had gone too far.

Regarding the trade disruptions from the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said he has two suggestions to impacted countries: buy oil from the U.S., and "build up some delayed courage" and "protect" the passageway themselves.

"Iran has been essentially decimated. The hard part is done, so it should be easy," he said in his address.

"And in any event, when this conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally, it'll just open up naturally," he claimed.

While addressing the nation from the White House, President Donald Trump said the U.S.' "core strategic objectives" in Iran are "nearing completion."

"We are going to finish the job. And we're going to finish it very fast. We're getting very close," he said.

President Donald Trump is addressing the nation to give an "important update" on Iran as the war continues in its fifth week.

The speech comes as the Trump administration faces questions over the war's aims and its future.