Following Donald Trump’s warning to Iran that more heavier military strikes are still to come as the confrontation moves into a risky new phase, tensions in the Middle East drastically increased.
Trump stated in interviews on Monday that the ongoing US-led operation would continue four to five weeks, but he emphasized that dates could vary according on events on the ground.
Tougher measures was inevitable, he warned, accusing Tehran of disregarding repeated warnings about its nuclear program. Additionally, the US president did not rule out sending American soldiers to Iran if he thought it was necessary.
Trump acknowledged domestic public debate but stated that opinion polls could not be used to inform national security decisions.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, maintained that regime change was not the goal of the campaign. While stressing that the mission was centered on military goals, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth encouraged Iranians to “take advantage” of the situation politically.
The conflict has already spread beyond of Iran. Heavy gunfire between Israel and Hezbollah has sparked concerns about a larger regional conflict. As air defenses were triggered, explosions have been reported in a number of Gulf cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.
Three US fighter jets were unintentionally shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in what officials called a friendly-fire incident, marking a significant escalation. According to the US military, every crew member escaped and is in stable condition.
Global energy markets have also been rocked by the turmoil. Following an Iranian attack on one of its facilities, Qatar briefly stopped producing LNG, and worries about supply interruptions caused oil prices to soar. Concern on a global scale is still growing.
Vladimir Putin called for an early return to negotiation, warning Gulf leaders that the battle may evolve into a regional conflict with disastrous outcomes. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, supported the attacks, claiming that the US and Israel were taking action to stop Iran from endangering international security.
Diplomats caution that the next few days might decide whether the crisis worsens or moves toward negotiations as airspace closures expand around the Middle East and public fear rises.