Trump says Iran war could last 4–5 weeks, US prepared for longer fight

Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States ordered large-scale strikes on Iran to thwart Tehran’s missile programme and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, adding that Washington is prepared to sustain the conflict well beyond four to five weeks if required.

In the first time Trump spoke since the US launched attacks on Iran on Saturday, the president called the operation their "last best chance to strike".

Speaking at a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Trump provided a brief update on Operation Epic Fury, saying US forces continue to carry out large-scale combat operations in Iran to eliminate threats posed by the Iranian regime.


Also Read: Missiles over the Marina: Iran rattles a billionaire playground

He said the administration had warned Tehran not to rebuild missile or nuclear facilities at alternate locations, but Iran ignored those warnings and “refused to cease their pursuit of nuclear weapons.”



Trump said Iran’s missile programme was intended to shield nuclear weapons development and described an Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons as an “intolerable threat” to both the Middle East and the American people. He added that Iran “cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside their borders.”

The US president said the objectives of the operation were clear: to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities and its capacity to produce new ones, to dismantle its naval strength, and to ensure that the country can never obtain a nuclear weapon. He claimed US forces were degrading Iran’s missile infrastructure on an hourly basis and said Washington was “ahead of our time projections.”

Also Read: Oil, rice, textiles & more: The cost Indians may have to pay for Iran-Israel war

Trump said the military campaign was likely to last four to five weeks but stressed that the US was prepared “to go far longer than that” if necessary. He maintained that while the United States had taken the lead in the operation, “everybody was behind us,” signalling international backing for the move.

What is Operation Epic Fury?

Operation Epic Fury is the name used by the US administration for its ongoing military campaign against Iran, aimed at dismantling Tehran’s missile infrastructure and preventing it from developing nuclear weapons capability.

According to Donald Trump, the operation targets long-range missile systems, production facilities and key naval assets. He said US forces are degrading Iran’s missile capacity “on an hourly basis” and have already struck multiple naval targets as part of a broader effort to curb Tehran’s military reach.

Washington maintains the objective is to eliminate strategic threats and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.