- By Priyanka Koul
- Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:17 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Iran Israel US War: The situation in the Middle East worsened on Monday as Israel and the United States launched a series of strikes against Iran, a campaign that US President Donald Trump has said could extend for several weeks. Trump described the ongoing war with Iran as the final and most critical opportunity to launch an attack, emphasising the need to eliminate the intolerable threat posed by the Iranian regime.
The US President explained that he had ordered the attack on Iran to thwart its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, vowing to pursue the war for as long as necessary. He said, without providing evidence, that the threat from Iran had been imminent when he made the decision to order the strikes.
"I ordered the strike to stop Iran's nuclear development and ballistic missile program because it was moving rapidly toward that goal," Trump said during an event in the White House’s East Room.
The attacks have killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sunk Iranian warships, and hit more than 1,000 targets so far.
“This was our last best chance to strike ... and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime,” he said.
Trump further noted that operations against Iran were expected to last between four to five weeks, though he was prepared to extend the campaign “for much longer if necessary.”
Trump Outlines Objectives of Operation Epic Fury
- “First, we are destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, and you can see that happening on an hourly basis, along with their ability to produce new and increasingly advanced missiles,” Trump continued. He outlined the operation’s main objectives, which included neutralising Iran’s missile capabilities, dismantling their navy, and preventing the country from acquiring nuclear weapons.
- "Second, we're annihilating their navy. We've knocked out already 10 ships," he added.
- "Third, we're ensuring that the world's number one sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon," he said.
- "And finally, we're ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders", he remarked.
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Trump Indicates War Could Extend
He said, "I had estimated that the US campaign would last four to five weeks, but it could go on longer." He said that an Iranian government armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would pose an intolerable threat not only to the Middle East but also to the American people.
"The US military has shot down 10 Iranian vessels and they are now deep in the sea. Today, the United States military is conducting a large-scale combat operation in Iran to eliminate the grave threats to America posed by this horrific, terrorist regime," Trump said.
Trump said that a longstanding US goal was to prevent Iran from supporting militant groups elsewhere in the region. He cited the loss of four US service personnel in the fighting so far and said, "In their memory, we continue this mission with determination."
The intensity of the attacks, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the lack of any apparent exit plan has set the nations for a prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences.