US military planners expect that the war with Iran could last several months and potentially continue until September. This was reported by The WP Times citing Politico.
According to the publication, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has asked the Pentagon to send additional military intelligence officers to its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, to support operations against Iran for at least 100 days, with planning that could extend until September. The accelerated effort to mobilise personnel and resources — which in US military campaigns is usually organised well in advance of combat operations — suggests that the Trump administration was not fully prepared for the scale of the conflict launched together with Israel.
“We see a completely spontaneous operation where it seems no one really understood or believed that military action was inevitable. It appears they woke up on Saturday morning and decided to start a war,” said Gerald Feierstein, a former senior US diplomat who worked on Middle East affairs.
According to a US official, the Pentagon is also attempting to deploy additional air-defence systems to the region, particularly more compact and less expensive counter-drone systems that the department has been developing over the past several years. The strike that killed US servicemen has raised particular concern among military planners because it was carried out by a relatively inexpensive Shahed drone, which can often fly below existing radar systems.
Currently, the United States is using missiles that typically cost several million dollars to intercept drones that are significantly cheaper. At the same time, many drones that the United States could potentially deploy in response have not yet been used in combat, as American forces have not previously faced a drone threat on such a large scale.
US and Israeli operation against Iran
It should be recalled that a large-scale military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran began on 28 February. The White House justified the launch of hostilities by the need to neutralise Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes and eliminate threats to US bases and allies in the region. The Pentagon confirmed that although there was no intelligence indicating an imminent Iranian attack immediately before the operation, the strategic programmes of the Iranian regime posed a critical threat.
During large-scale strikes by US Air Force and Navy units on military facilities and command centres, the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several officials was confirmed. On Sunday, 1 March, US President Donald Trump outlined the timeline of the military campaign against Iran, stating that the active phase of hostilities would last no more than four weeks.
Israeli officials also said that any new leader appointed by the Iranian regime to replace Ali Khamenei would be “an unequivocal target for elimination.” In addition, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that the United States and Israel would gain full control of Iranian airspace in less than a week. At the same time, US President Donald Trump insists he is ready to continue the military campaign against Iran “forever.” However, according to CNN sources, some of his advisers are concerned about the political and electoral risks of such a course.
Read about the life of Westminster and Pimlico district, London and the world. 24/7 news with fresh and useful updates on culture, business, technology and city life: Israel strikes Isfahan and Shiraz military targets as yak-130 reportedly shot down over Tehran
