President Donald Trump said on Monday that the U.S. operation against Iran was projected to last four to five weeks, but the United States has “the capability to go far longer.”
Trump addressed the military action in Iran during a ceremony for Medal of Honor recipients at the White House Monday.
The president said the United States had projected it would take four weeks to get rid of Iran’s military leadership, but that was quickly accomplished, “so we’re ahead of schedule there.”
Trump also laid out the four objectives of the operation.
Trump said U.S. forces are out to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its naval capacity, stop the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and “ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm fund and directors armies outside of their borders.”
He said United States attacks have already “knocked out” 10 ships, and that attacks on Iran’s missile capacity are ensuring they are destroyed while stopping “their capacity to produce brand [new] ones.”
“This was our last, best chance to strike—what we’re doing right now—and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime,” Trump said.
The U.S. military said later on Monday that it had taken out 11 Iranian warships in the Gulf of Oman.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Monday that the Trump administration hopes the Iranian people can eventually overthrow the government and establish a new future for their country, but for now, the focus is to eliminate its nuclear program.
Rubio also doubled down on Trump’s remarks, saying the United States “absolutely” acted against an imminent threat.
When pressed on whether Trump would send ground troops into Iran, Rubio said the United States isn’t postured to do so right now.
U.S. Central Command confirmed the United States and partner forces began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. ET on Feb. 28 to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that posed an imminent threat. Targets of the initial strikes included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.
Six U.S. service members have been killed in action during the operation, according to U.S. Central Command.
Trump acknowledged the casualties of war, saying there will likely be more in the coming weeks.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth later Monday issued a video message to troops, reiterating Trump’s statement and vowing to see the mission completely through.
“We will finish this, on America First conditions, of President Trump’s choosing,” Hegseth said.
Trump said combat operations in Iran will continue "in full force" until "all our objectives are achieved."
Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats have argued that Trump launched the military campaign against Iran without congressional approval, calling for Congress to force a vote on a war powers resolution.