US military expects war with Iran to last several months, possibly until September
US expects war with Iran to last until September (photo: Getty Images)
US military leadership expects war with Iran to last several months, approximately until September, Politico reports.
According to published reports, the US Central Command asked the Pentagon to send more military intelligence officers to its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, to support operations against Iran for at least 100 days, but likely until September.
At the same time, rushing to mobilize personnel and resources, which are usually organized long before US military actions, underscores that the Trump team did not fully anticipate the large-scale consequences of the war it launched together with Israel.
"What we've seen is a completely ad hoc operation where it appeared that nobody actually understood or believed that military action was imminent. It seems like they woke up on Saturday morning and decided that they were going to start a war," said Gerald Feierstein, a former senior US diplomat who worked on Middle East issues.
According to a US official, the Pentagon is also trying to send more air defense systems to the region, especially more compact and cheaper counter-drone systems that the department has been developing over the past several years.
The strike that killed US servicemembers is causing particular concern among military planners, since it was carried out by a relatively inexpensive Shahed drone, which can often fly below existing radar coverage.
Currently US uses missiles that usually cost several million dollars to neutralize drones that cost much less.
At the same time, many drones that the US could use in response have not yet been used in combat, since American forces have not previously faced a threat of such scale.
The US and Israel's operation against Iran
A large-scale military operation by the US and Israel against Iran began on February 28.
White House justified the start of hostilities by the need to neutralize Tehran's nuclear and missile programs, as well as eliminate threats to US bases and allies in the region.
Pentagon confirmed that despite a lack of intelligence about an imminent attack by Iran immediately before the operation, the strategic programs of the Iranian regime posed a critical danger.
During massive strikes by the US Air Force and Navy on military facilities and command centers, the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several officials was confirmed.
On Sunday, March 1, US President Donald Trump officially outlined a timeline of the military campaign against Iran, stating that the active phase of hostilities would last no more than four weeks.
Israel also stated that any new leader appointed by the Iranian regime to replace Ali Khamenei would be "a clear target for elimination."
In addition, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the US and Israel would gain full control over Iran's 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 express concern about the political and electoral risks of such a course.
