President Trump delivers address to nation about war with Iran

WASHINGTON (NBC) - In a primetime address to the nation on the war with Iran, President Trump said most of the U.S. military goals have been met.

But that strikes will intensify over the next two to three weeks to finish the job.

Without new details on a concrete path out of the war markets were rattled overnight.

President Trump did not reference U.S. boots on the ground, as we've seen a U.S. troop presence build up in the middle east.

He sought to reassure Americans, and markets, that the war's end is coming soon.

President Trump speaking directly to the American people overnight in his first primetime address since the start of the Iran war, saying that one month in to U.S. strikes, the nation's military objectives are nearing completion.

"We are systematically dismantling the regime's ability to threaten America or project power outside of their borders," said President Trump.

The president pointing to progress toward destroying Iran's Navy, Airforce and missile program.

"These actions will cripple Iran military, crush their ability to support terrorist proxies and deny them the ability to build a nuclear bomb," explained President Trump.

But he made clear it's not over yet.

"We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks," said President Trump.

Stocks slid and oil prices surged, on word of more intense strikes, and no concrete end date to the war that's upended the global energy supply, and sent U.S. gas prices soaring over $4 a gallon on average.

President Trump claimed after the fighting ends, prices would drop, and the vital energy route the strait of hormuz would open up "naturally."

Critics say the president didn't do enough to lay out the path forward, as a recent Reuters IPSOS poll shows just 35% of Americans surveyed approve of the war, 60% disapprove.

13 American service members have been killed.

President Trump mourned their loss, and said the U.S. must press ahead to honor their sacrifice.