Iran War Day 33: Trump to Address Nation Tonight as President Attends Supreme Court in Historic First
The morning briefing on Trump's 9 p.m. Iran address, Iranian missiles striking Israel on Passover eve, U.S. gas hitting $4 a gallon, and the birthright citizenship showdown at the Supreme Court.
President Trump is set to address the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern tonight on the Iran war, as Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv in three waves Wednesday morning and U.S. gas prices hit $4 a gallon — their highest point since 2022. The White House offered no details on the address beyond calling it “an important update,” but Trump told reporters Tuesday he expects the war to end in “two or three weeks” and Secretary of State Rubio said the U.S. can now “see the finish line.” Iran fired on Israel hours before Passover begins Wednesday evening — one of the busiest travel days of the year in Israel — injuring at least 16 people including an 11-year-old girl. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also struck a QatarEnergy-chartered oil tanker off Qatar’s coast and set fuel depots at Kuwait’s international airport ablaze.
Earlier this week, Iran threatened 17 American tech companies — including Apple, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Tesla — with attacks if further Iranian leaders are killed. The Iranian parliament simultaneously approved a bill to charge tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, effectively monetizing the chokehold on global oil shipments. Iran’s head of the National Security Committee told Trump on X that the strait would reopen — “but not for you.”
Quick Hits
- ARTEMIS II LAUNCHES TODAY NASA's — Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch Wednesday at 6:24 p.m. ET, sending four astronauts on a 10-day loop around the moon — the first humans to reach lunar distance since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew includes three NASA astronauts and one Canadian Space Agency astronaut. [Source]
- TRUMP HINTS AT NATO EXIT OVER IRAN — Trump told allies Tuesday on Truth Social to "build up some courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," adding the U.S. "won't be there to help you anymore" if they refuse to act. France's Macron was "surprised" by Trump calling Paris "very unhelpful" after it blocked U.S. military supply flights over its territory. [Source]
- SUPREME COURT RULES STATES CANNOT BAN CONVERSION THERAPY — In an 8-1 ruling Tuesday, the Supreme Court struck down state bans on conversion therapy, ruling that the First Amendment prohibits states from using licensing power to restrict what therapists can discuss with clients. The decision overturns laws in more than 20 states. [Source]
- TITLE X REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FUNDING IN JEOPARDY — April 1 is the annual renewal date for Title X federal grants, which fund reproductive health services — birth control, cancer screenings, and HIV testing — for more than 2.8 million people, many of them low-income or uninsured. Clinics report Trump administration delays are threatening whether grants will be renewed on time. [Source]
What to Watch For
Trump Address to the Nation, 9 p.m. ET: The single biggest event of the day. Watch for whether Trump announces a ceasefire framework, expanded strikes, a Kharg Island operation, or simply more deadline-setting. The White House gave no advance indication of the content.
Supreme Court — Birthright Citizenship Arguments: Oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara are underway this morning. Watch for questions from the conservative justices — particularly whether any signal skepticism about Trump’s executive order despite their general alignment with the administration.
Iran’s Passover Eve Strikes: Iran struck Israel this morning as Passover begins tonight. Watch for Israeli retaliation and whether the timing — a major Jewish holiday — triggers a broader escalation.
Artemis II Launch, 6:24 p.m. ET: The first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years lifts off from Kennedy Space Center. Weather and technical holds possible.
War Powers Clock: Day 33. The 60-day deadline is April 28. Congress returns from recess in mid-April.
By The Numbers
Average U.S. gas price per gallon as of Wednesday, the highest since 2022 and up sharply from the day the Iran war began February 28.
American tech companies Iran has threatened to attack if more Iranian leaders are killed, per the semi-official Fars news outlet. Companies named include Apple, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Tesla, IBM, HP, and Intel.
Estimated number of seafarers currently stranded aboard ships near the Strait of Hormuz, trapped in an active warzone, per United Nations reporting.
U.S. children under 18 currently living with at least one undocumented parent, most of whom hold automatic birthright citizenship that the Supreme Court case could strip, per Pew Research Center.
Days remaining until the War Powers Act's 60-day authorization deadline on April 28. No vote is currently scheduled.
Quote of the Day
Iranian parliament National Security Committee head Ebrahim Azizi, responding to Trump's threats on X: "The Strait of Hormuz will reopen — but not for you."
https://abc7ny.com/live-updates/iran-live-updates-trump-threatens-infrastructure-strikes-talks-fail/18809147/
Bottom Line
Two of the most consequential events of Trump's second term are converging today. Tonight he addresses the nation on a war entering its 33rd day, with Iran striking Israel on Passover, U.S. gas at $4 a gallon, and a ground invasion option still on the table. This morning he became the first sitting president to attend Supreme Court oral arguments — in a case that could strip citizenship from millions of U.S.-born children. The accountability gap is the same in both stories: a president expanding power in real time, with Congress on recess and the clock running.
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