Trump Pledges 'Whatever It Takes' as Israel Strikes Iran, Conflict Escalates
The United States delivered conflicting messages regarding the potential duration of a war with Iran on Monday, as Israel initiated fresh airstrikes targeting Tehran. The rapidly expanding conflict is sending shockwaves throughout the Middle East and causing significant upheaval in global energy markets.
Mixed Signals from U.S. Leadership
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly dismissed the notion of an "endless" war with Iran. However, President Donald Trump later contradicted this stance, emphasizing there is no predetermined timeline for military operations. Both officials declined to rule out the possibility of deploying American ground troops to the region.
"Whatever the time is, it’s okay — whatever it takes," President Trump stated firmly. "Right from the beginning, we projected four to five weeks. But we have capability to go far longer than that."
Military Operations Intensify
The U.S. military announced it had successfully destroyed multiple key Iranian assets, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and several military airfields during sustained operations. This information was confirmed in an official post on the social media platform X by U.S. Central Command.
Simultaneously, the Israel Defense Forces declared a new "wave of strikes" on Tehran, specifically targeting the command centres of Iran’s Interior Security and Ministry of Intelligence. Israeli authorities accused these entities of brutally suppressing protests against the Iranian regime through violent measures.
Regional Fallout and Retaliation
In response to the U.S.-Israeli attacks, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend, the Islamic Republic continued to fire projectiles across the Middle East. Explosions were reported in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the nation on television, asserting that Tehran holds no grievances with neighbouring countries but is specifically "taking on the American soldiers stationed there."
Security Warnings and Diplomatic Efforts
The U.S. State Department urgently advised American citizens to leave multiple countries across the Middle East, citing "serious safety risks" due to the escalating war. The advisory specifically recommended that U.S. nationals in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates depart via available commercial transportation immediately.
In a concerning development, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defense. The incident resulted in a limited fire and caused minor material damage to the building.
Additionally, the U.S. confirmed that three fighter jets crashed in Kuwait due to an apparent friendly-fire incident, though all aircrew members ejected safely. Israel further expanded its military campaign to Beirut after coming under attack from Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, who are allied with Tehran.
Energy Market Turbulence
The conflict has triggered significant volatility in energy markets. Global benchmark Brent crude oil rose above US$79 a barrel, following a spike of approximately seven percent on Monday. West Texas Intermediate was trading near US$72.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the Trump administration is preparing to unveil a program aimed at mitigating rising energy costs. He warned reporters that the military campaign would only intensify moving forward.
"I’m not going to give away the details of our tactical efforts, but the hardest hits are yet to come from the U.S. military," Rubio stated emphatically.
Meanwhile, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are actively lobbying allies to encourage the Trump administration to pursue a diplomatic resolution and keep the conflict brief. These efforts aim to prevent further escalation and avoid a prolonged shock to energy prices, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
