US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the ongoing war with Iran could last up to eight weeks. Speaking at a press conference held at the Pentagon on Wednesday, he said the United States possesses sufficient military equipment to defeat Iran. Hegseth noted that the duration of the conflict could vary, possibly lasting four, six, or even three weeks depending on developments.

He emphasized that the US military has already determined the pace of its operations and is proceeding according to plan. According to Hegseth, the enemy is currently in an unbalanced position, and the US intends to maintain that state. The remarks came as part of a broader briefing on the progress of the conflict and the readiness of US forces.

The statement reflects Washington’s confidence in its military capabilities while acknowledging uncertainty about the exact duration of the conflict.

The United States Senate has rejected a proposal aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations in Iran. The measure, which sought to restrict Trump’s ability to launch further military actions without congressional approval, failed by a vote of 47 in favor and 53 against. Lawmakers were largely divided along party lines during the vote.

The proposal called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from conflicts unless Congress explicitly authorized their involvement. Previous attempts to impose such limits had also failed, and even if this initiative had succeeded, it remained unclear how much it would have altered the course of the conflict. Democrats argued that Trump had bypassed Congress and offered inconsistent justifications for military actions, while most Republicans opposed the measure but indicated they might reconsider if the conflict expanded.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the same issue tomorrow. Some senators told reporters that if the war continues for several more weeks, they may be more inclined to support future efforts to restrict presidential war powers.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to continue war indefinitely amid ongoing US and Israeli attacks on Iran. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday night, Trump said the United States has enough weapons to fight forever, responding to expert discussions suggesting US stockpiles were running low. The conflict, now in its fifth day, has already left over a thousand people dead in Iran, with additional casualties reported in Lebanon and across the region.

Iran has reportedly launched missiles toward Turkey and Saudi Arabia, attacked a major Aramco refinery, and claimed full control of the Strait of Hormuz. The US confirmed sinking an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, killing 80, while Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel and US bases in Qatar. Tehran has postponed the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in earlier strikes.

Iranian officials declared readiness for a prolonged war and rejected further talks with Washington. Meanwhile, Israel warned that whoever succeeds Khamenei will be targeted if hostile actions continue, signaling an escalation with no clear end in sight.

A majority of members in the United States Senate have expressed support for President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran. They voted to block a bipartisan proposal that sought to require congressional authorization for any further military action against Iran and to halt aerial combat operations. According to Al Jazeera, the Senate voted 52 against and 47 in favor of the measure, preventing it from advancing.

The blocked proposal, known as the War Powers Resolution, aimed to restrict the president’s ability to engage in hostilities without congressional approval. If passed, it would have required the withdrawal of US forces from ongoing operations in Iran unless Congress explicitly authorized them. Similar attempts had been made previously but also failed to pass.

The Senate’s decision effectively maintains the president’s authority to continue military actions in Iran without new congressional approval, leaving the scope of future operations unchanged for now.

Most Americans oppose a U.S. military strike on Iran, according to several recent surveys reported by Al Jazeera. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 43 percent of respondents opposed such an attack, while only about one-quarter supported a joint U.S.-Israel operation. The survey, conducted over the weekend, included more than 1,200 American adults.

A separate CNN-commissioned SSRS poll, conducted between February 28 and March 1, showed even stronger opposition, with about six in ten Americans rejecting military action against Iran. In that poll, 41 percent supported the move. Around 60 percent of respondents said President Donald Trump lacked a clear plan for handling the Iran situation, and 39 percent believed the U.S. had not pursued sufficient diplomatic efforts before considering force.

Both polls revealed sharp political divisions: 82 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of independents opposed the strike, compared with only 23 percent of Republicans expressing opposition.

Six days after the joint Israel–United States attack on Iran, uncertainty persists over why President Donald Trump initiated the war and what he aims to achieve. Initially, Trump and his administration said the goal was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program. Vice President JD Vance stated that the U.S. would ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Later, Trump shifted his reasoning, citing regime change and the elimination of Iran’s missile and proxy capabilities as objectives.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth contradicted Trump by saying regime change was not the U.S. goal, though he acknowledged leadership changes in Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the U.S. acted preemptively, fearing Iranian retaliation after an Israeli strike. The lack of a clear post-war plan has drawn sharp criticism in Congress. Most Republicans support Trump, while Democrats argue he has no concrete strategy and warn of a prolonged conflict.

Democratic lawmakers, including Adam Smith and Elizabeth Warren, questioned the legality and intelligence basis of the attack, calling it unconstitutional and dangerous. They also raised concerns about Israeli influence and the absence of congressional authorization for war.

The White House announced that Spain has agreed to cooperate with the United States in its military operation against Iran in the Middle East. The decision reportedly came after President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with Madrid. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said Spain had clearly understood the president’s message and confirmed that coordination between US forces and Spanish authorities is now underway.

Earlier, President Trump had declared that he would end all trade with Spain. Just a day before that, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that his country would not allow the United States to use jointly operated bases in southern Spain for any attack outside the UN Charter. The Spanish government has not yet issued an official comment on the reported change in position.

The development marks a significant shift in Spain’s stance amid rising tensions over US military actions against Iran, though the extent of Spain’s involvement remains unclear.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that China and Russia are not influencers in the ongoing Iran war. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he clarified that he has no message for either country, noting that both have long-standing diplomatic and trade relations with Iran. Hegseth emphasized that the United States’ focus remains solely on ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions involving Iran, with regional developments drawing global attention. Hegseth’s comments sought to distance China and Russia from direct involvement in the conflict, underscoring Washington’s position that its dispute lies only with Tehran.

The statement suggests that the US aims to concentrate its diplomatic and strategic efforts on Iran’s nuclear program rather than broadening the conflict to other major powers.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran’s president attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, but Trump managed to overcome the attempt. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane, Hegseth said the United States had located and killed the leader of the unit allegedly responsible for the assassination attempt.

According to the report, in 2024, before that year’s presidential election, the US government filed charges against an Afghan national accused of involvement in an alleged Iranian plot to kill Trump. The US Department of Justice stated that 51-year-old Farhad Shakeri had been assigned to develop a plan for Trump’s assassination and was believed to be residing in Iran.

A criminal complaint filed in Manhattan court alleged that an officer of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard instructed Shakeri in September to create a surveillance and assassination plan targeting Trump.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo. The incident reportedly left at least 80 people dead, according to Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister, who said the vessel was returning to Iran from an eastern Indian port. Hegseth made the announcement during a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, describing the strike as part of ongoing operations against Iran.

During the briefing, Hegseth said the attack marked only the beginning of joint US and Israeli military actions against Iran, warning of larger assaults ahead. He added that American and Israeli forces expect to gain full control of Iranian airspace within days, less than a week after the conflict began. Hegseth also confirmed that additional US troops are being deployed to the Middle East to ensure victory.

He emphasized that the campaign remains in its early stages and that the United States will take as much time as needed to secure success, echoing President Trump’s position. The information was reported by Al Jazeera and the BBC.

Leaked Pentagon assessments reported by US media suggest that if the current strikes on Iran continue beyond 10 days, the United States could face shortages of key missiles. The US and Israel began coordinated attacks on Iran while diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear program and regional activities were still underway. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes across the region, targeting Israel and US military assets in several Middle Eastern countries. The Pentagon reportedly cautioned President Donald Trump that a prolonged campaign would carry serious risks, including the high cost of replenishing munitions. Trump, however, insisted that US stockpiles were sufficient to sustain extended operations.

Analysts told Al Jazeera that interceptor missiles such as THAAD, Patriot, and SM‑3 could run low within weeks if the conflict persists. The US military’s Central Command confirmed the use of more than 20 weapons systems, including advanced bombers, drones, and missile defense platforms. Experts warned that manufacturing replacements takes months, and high-end interceptors are designed for limited engagements, not prolonged wars. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Iran can produce far more offensive missiles monthly than the US can build interceptors.

Reports also indicate that the US has already depleted some ship-borne interceptors and suffered friendly-fire losses. Sustaining the campaign is expected to be extremely costly, with early operations estimated to have cost over a billion dollars.

Democratic Congress member Pramila Jayapal stated that there is no evidence Iran poses an imminent threat to the United States. She made the remarks after a House briefing on the Iran war, saying that no justification had been provided for an attack on Iran. Jayapal criticized the lack of a clear strategy regarding the conflict and noted that lawmakers were not informed about how long the war might last. She emphasized that congressional approval is required before initiating any war and warned of potential casualties.

Jayapal further argued that the justification for attacking Iran is weak and called for a congressional vote on the matter, insisting that Congress must decide on any war-related action. Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported that at least 1,097 civilians have been killed in Iran since February 28 amid ongoing violence. The report also claimed that 104 attacks occurred in the past 24 hours, targeting military bases, medical centers, and residential areas.

The developments highlight growing concern in Washington over the direction of US policy toward Iran and the humanitarian toll of escalating violence inside Iran.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of disregarding the American people and failing to follow proper procedures before initiating a conflict with Iran. Speaking after a congressional briefing, Murphy said the Trump administration had engaged in a war whose outcome remains uncertain.

Murphy stated that officials described the situation as an open engagement that has not yet fully begun but could lead to more American casualties. He added that the administration refused to rule out deploying ground troops. According to Murphy, this approach demonstrates contempt for the American public, as the administration believes it can wage one of the largest Middle East wars since Iraq and Afghanistan without a single congressional vote or debate.

Murphy’s remarks highlight growing concerns among lawmakers about executive overreach and the lack of congressional authorization for military actions in the region.

Five days after a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, questions remain over President Donald Trump’s motives and objectives. Initially, Trump and his administration said the goal was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Vice President JD Vance reiterated this aim in a television interview. However, the administration’s reasoning evolved over subsequent days, with Trump later emphasizing the destruction of Iran’s missile and naval capabilities and the elimination of proxy groups in the region.

Trump subsequently suggested that regime change in Iran was necessary, telling Iranians they would take leadership after a transition. Yet Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth contradicted this, stating that regime change was not the United States’ goal, though he acknowledged leadership changes had occurred. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later argued that the attack was preemptive, as US forces would have become targets once Israel struck Iran.

The lack of a clear post-attack plan has drawn sharp criticism in Congress. Democrats accused the administration of acting without credible intelligence or a defined strategy, warning that the US could face a prolonged conflict.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on Iran have stirred controversy ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In an interview with Politico, Trump said he did not care whether Iran participated, calling the country “badly defeated” and “in smoke.” Iran has qualified for the tournament, with group-stage matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle, but rising U.S.–Iran tensions have raised concerns about the fixtures.

FIFA reiterated that all participating nations, players, staff, and fans would be welcomed and protected. The Athletic sought clarification from the White House, and Andrew Giuliani, director of the U.S. World Cup Taskforce, said any threats to the safety of millions expected to attend would be neutralized. The Iranian Football Federation did not respond to The Athletic’s request for comment, though its president, Mehdi Taj, earlier acknowledged concerns about the situation and said the sports ministry would take necessary steps.

FIFA’s secretary general had previously emphasized safety as the top priority, and a spokesperson confirmed that Iran’s participation status remains unchanged despite recent regional tensions.