US President Trump warns Iran conflict may last longer than projected, as retaliatory strikes hit Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, escalating regional tensions.
RIYADH: US President Donald Trump has warned his military campaign against Iran could extend beyond the initial one-month projection. His statement came as Tehran launched retaliatory strikes against US allies, including a drone attack on the American embassy in Saudi Arabia.
Trump said the operation, which began with a strike killing Iran’s supreme leader, was progressing ahead of schedule. “From the beginning we projected four to five weeks, but we have capability to go far longer than that,” he stated at the White House.
The US president outlined objectives to destroy Iran’s missiles, navy, and nuclear programme. These goals notably did not include toppling the Islamic republic, despite his earlier call for an uprising.
Iranian retaliation included two drones striking the US embassy in Riyadh. The attack caused a limited fire and minor material damage, according to the Saudi defence ministry.
Trump vowed to retaliate “soon” for the embassy strike without providing details. The US mission subsequently urged American citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dharan to shelter in place.
Tehran also vowed to choke the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Revolutionary Guards General Sardar Jabbari warned, “We will burn any ship that tries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Qatar’s state-run energy firm halted liquefied natural gas production following missile and drone attacks. The country also shot down two Iranian bombers, marking a first for a Gulf Arab state.
The conflict spread as Israel carried out strikes on Lebanon targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes would continue but not become “an endless war”.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented a new narrative, stating the US attacked after learning Israel was set to strike Iran. He claimed Trump intervened “pre-emptively” because Iran was ready to retaliate against US forces.
Rival Democrats voiced disbelief at the justification. Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded that “there was never any so-called Iranian ‘threat'”.
The Lebanese government said at least 52 people were killed in Israeli strikes. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam subsequently ordered an immediate prohibition of Hezbollah’s military activities.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported 101 casualties inside Iran on the war’s third day. This figure included 85 civilian deaths and 11 military personnel killed.
Six US military personnel have been killed so far, according to US Central Command. Many Tehran residents were seen preparing to leave the unusually quiet capital amid the ongoing bombings.