Following the high-stakes strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, President Donald Trump has cautioned that the military engagement in West Asia—initially projected to last one month—could become a significantly longer conflict. While the President maintains that operations are currently “ahead of schedule,” the war has rapidly expanded, with Israel striking Lebanon and Tehran targeting oil facilities in the Gulf. As the U.S. shifts its focus toward dismantling Iran’s nuclear and naval capabilities, the administration faces growing domestic scrutiny over the intelligence and alliances that triggered the escalation.
