President Trump believes a military operation against Iran could last between four to five weeks, asserting that the US has the resources required to sustain the operation until Iran no longer poses a threat. While the timeframe outlined by Trump is brief, it raises significant concerns regarding the objectives of the military action—whether aiming for a regime change or merely weakening the current regime to negotiate at the table again.

Meanwhile, Israel is ramping up its military readiness, having called up 100,000 reservists in anticipation of a prolonged conflict. Analysts in Jerusalem note that while official statements regarding the potential duration of the war have not been made, Israel seems braced for a long-term engagement. The uncertainty surrounding the military goals reflects a deeper anxiety, especially regarding the response from Iran’s hardline forces, including the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij paramilitary.