Trump Says Iran Strikes Could Last Four Weeks

US President Donald Trump has indicated that the ongoing military campaign against Iran may extend for as long as four weeks, signaling a potentially prolonged escalation in the Middle East. His remarks followed confirmation from the US military that three American service members were killed during operations against Iran.

Speaking to US media, Trump acknowledged the casualties, saying: “We expect casualties with something like this. We have three, but we expect casualties — but in the end it’s going to be a great deal for the world.”

The US military stated that five additional personnel were seriously wounded, while others sustained minor injuries and have returned to duty. The three deaths mark the first known American fatalities since Washington began striking Iran on Saturday.

Trump: Many outcomes are good

Asked about his desired outcome, Trump outlined several possible scenarios.

“There are many outcomes that are good,” he said. “Number one is decapitating [the Iranian leadership], getting rid of their whole group of killers and thugs. And there are many, many outcomes. We could do the short version or the longer version.”

Trump also said Iranian officials had expressed interest in continuing talks with the United States but did not confirm whether Washington would pause the strikes to facilitate negotiations. “I don’t know… if they can satisfy us,” he said.

EU calls for restraint

The European Union’s 27 member states called for “maximum restraint, protection of civilians and full respect of international law,” in a statement issued by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Kallas stressed that it is essential the conflict does not spread further. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to convene a special security meeting to discuss developments in the Middle East.

Iran and Israel exchange blows

Iranian media reported that seven Iranian military commanders were killed in air raids. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it had delivered a “severe blow” to Iran’s command-and-control centers during its second day of strikes.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stating that the force “no longer has a headquarters.”

Heavy US and Israeli air strikes continued to hit Tehran and other cities, while Iran launched projectiles across the region in retaliation.

Regional and global impact

Iranian counterattacks triggered air defense responses in several Gulf countries hosting US assets, including Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

The United Arab Emirates suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi due to the security situation. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market announced closures for two days. Gulf stock markets that opened saw sharp declines, with Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index falling more than 4% at the open.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that military action risks igniting an uncontrollable chain of events in an already volatile region, urging immediate de-escalation.

As air strikes and retaliatory attacks continue, the duration and scope of the operation remain central to global concern.

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