Hegseth expects Iran war to drag on, WSJ reports
Photo: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (Getty Images)
US war against Iran drags on
When the US launched its campaign against Iran six months ago, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised a swift and decisive strike. The actions were intended to avoid a prolonged and complicated conflict.
Instead, he is now continuing to deploy US forces to the Middle East. This suggests that the war could drag on into 2027, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing its own sources.
According to the sources, this is part of a military strategy that will give US President Donald Trump options in the war.
About 50,000 US troops are currently stationed in the region.
Current missions include:
- intercepting Iranian missiles,
- providing protection for commercial vessels in the strait,
- blockading Iranian ports and coastal areas.
The US currently has 19 warships in Middle Eastern waters, including two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers, a Navy official said.
The Pentagon's further deployment of troops comes as Trump sends conflicting signals about the future of the conflict.
Pressure on Iran
For several weeks, the US has been conducting an economic pressure campaign aimed at forcing Iran to come to the negotiating table. However, Tehran has refused to yield.
Both countries continue to exchange fire amid a struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Privately, Trump has been negotiating with senior advisers over whether to declare war with Iran over, US officials said.
An escalation of the war with Iran could jeopardize Republicans' prospects in the November midterm elections, experts say.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that top US generals and admirals had warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that a prolonged war with Iran was unacceptable.
It was also reported that on August 13, Hegseth said US ships could rotate in and out of the region as needed.
In addition, by the end of July, the US war against Iran had already cost the American budget several tens of billions of dollars. Eighteen US service members had been killed in the fighting, while hundreds were wounded.
