President Trump has warned that the Iran war could continue for a month, suggesting that the deaths of more American soldiers are “likely” during the course of the conflict.
The US, in a joint operation with Israel, launched strikes against the Islamic Republic on Saturday, eliminating a number of senior officials, most notably Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had been in power for almost 40 years.
Speaking on Sunday, Trump seemingly sought to dispel reports that he would take a “one and done” approach to the operation.
"It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so,” he said.
“It's always been about a four-week process so - as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less.
"They want to talk, but I said you ‘should have talked last week, not this week’."
Iran has rejected claims that it is looking to revive negotiations with Washington over its nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile programmes, accusing Trump of launching strikes based on “delusional fantasies”.
The president made his remarks just days after he claimed the war would be won in just two or three days, telling news outlet Axios on Saturday: "I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: 'See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs].
"In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack.”
At least three US troops have already been killed in retaliatory strikes on American bases in the region, and several others were seriously wounded.
"We grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Trump during his press conference.
“We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and... for the families of the fallen.”
However, he also suggested that, as the war continues, more US service personnel were “likely” to be killed, saying: “That’s the way it is”.
He went on: "Sadly, there will likely be more [deaths], but America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against basically civilisation.”
"[The strikes] ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical and bloodthirsty terrorist regime... and lots of threats.
“For almost 50 years, these wicked extremists have been attacking the US while chanting the slogan ‘death to America’ or ‘death to Israel’ or both.
“They are the world’s number one state sponsor of terror. We are the world's greatest and most powerful nation, so we can do something about what they do.”
However, his comments were met with backlash from some prominent political figures in the US.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is seen as a potential Democratic candidate for the next presidential election, quoted past wartime presidents in a post on X, writing: “‘We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain’ – Lincoln.
‘These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent.’ - Reagan.
“‘That’s the way it is.’ - Trump.”
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Purple Heart recipient, added: “‘That’s the way it is,’ says the five-time draft dodger to our military families who fear their loved one in uniform could be next. What a disgrace”.
Commenting on the war more widely, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, the Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CBS: “There’s no simple answer for what’s going to come next.
“The opposition is 90 million Iranians who have suffered under the brutal Islamic Republic Revolutionary regime for the last 47 years.”
But Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and staunch Trump ally, struck a more optimistic tone, saying: “We’re going to free the people up from a terrorist regime.”
Congress, which was not consulted prior to Saturday’s strikes, will be briefed later today by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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