Washington: The White House stated the US will conclude its war with Iran once Operation Epic Fury achieves its full military goals, with President Donald Trump holding final say on the timeline.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the campaign is advancing faster than expected but hinges on the President's judgment of Iran's "complete and unconditional surrender."
"Ultimately, the operations will end when the commander-in-chief determines the military objectives have been met, fully realised," Leavitt told reporters.
The Pentagon's initial estimate: 4-6 weeks. Objectives include dismantling Iran's missiles and production, crippling its navy, denying nuclear weapons, and weakening its regional proxies.
Leavitt highlighted swift progress: over 5,000 targets struck, Iranian ballistic missile attacks down 90%, drone attacks down 35%. The US has sunk more than 50 naval vessels, including a major drone carrier, rendering Iran's navy "combat ineffective" with no operations in key waterways.
Focus has shifted to missile infrastructure, with B-2 bombers dropping dozens of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs on buried sites.
Operation Epic Fury launched after US intelligence showed Iran nearing nuclear capability and missile expansion. Trump will decide when goals—to raze missiles, industry, proxies, and nuclear ambitions—are fulfilled.
(Inputs from IANS)