Trump Predicts Iran War Could Last 4 to 5 Weeks or Longer

US President Donald Trump has made statements regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran, outlining his administration’s justification for the military action alongside Israel.

According to Trump, the initial plan for the operation was to last four to five weeks, but the US military has the capability to extend its duration. The president stated that Iran poses a “grave threat” to the US and emphasized the country’s ballistic missile program as a significant concern.

Trump also reiterated his claim that US strikes on Iran in June of last year resulted in the “obliteration of Iran’s nuclear programme”. He further stated that Iran’s ballistic missile program was growing rapidly, posing a threat not only to America but also to its military bases overseas.

The president characterized the Iranian government as potentially posing a longer-term threat, stating that their goal was to shield their nuclear weapon development and make it difficult for others to stop them. Trump emphasized that an Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat to the Middle East and the American people.

Trump’s comments come after US government officials have not provided evidence for the immediate threats posed by Iran. The president has released two video speeches since the US and Israel began their attacks, including a statement that Iran had waged a “war against civilisation”.

The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, with at least 555 people killed in Iran, 13 in Lebanon, 10 in Israel, and three in other countries. The Pentagon has confirmed four US military personnel deaths, and Trump stated that the military’s original projection was to terminate the military leadership of Iran within four weeks.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth appeared to respond to concerns about the prolonged nature of the conflict, stating that the operation is a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” aimed at destroying the missile threat.

Source: Al Jazeera