‘It’s A Big Country’: Trump Warns Iran Conflict May Last 4 Weeks As Operation Epic Fury Continues

Last Updated:March 02, 2026, 07:53 IST

More than 200 people have died as fighting intensified after coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that the conflict with Iran could continue for weeks, saying combat operations under “Operation Epic Fury" are ongoing “in full force" following coordinated US-Israeli strikes. The remarks suggest Washington is preparing for a sustained military campaign even as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate. 

In remarks reported by the UK’s Daily Mail, Trump described the conflict as a complex but time-limited operation against a large adversary. He said the campaign was expected to last about four weeks, though it could end sooner.

“It’s always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four-week process so – as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks – or less," Daily Mail quoted Trump.

Trump said US and allied forces had struck “hundreds of targets" over the past 36 hours, including facilities linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and key air defence systems. He claimed US forces had also destroyed nine naval vessels and a related naval facility.

Trump said diplomatic channels with Tehran remained nominally open but added he did not know whether talks would happen soon. “They want to talk, but I said you should have talked last week, not this week," he said.

Rising death toll

More than 200 people have died as fighting intensified after coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior military and political figures were killed in the attacks.

Tehran has responded with missile and drone strikes, widening the confrontation across the Middle East. Trump declared Khamenei dead and said Iran’s “entire military command is gone," urging Iranian security forces to lay down their arms or “face certain death."

US casualties confirmed

US Central Command confirmed the first American fatalities since the operation began. Three US service members were killed and five seriously wounded, while several others suffered minor injuries. The military did not disclose where the casualties occurred.

Trump said the country “grieves for the true American patriots" who died and warned more losses were possible as operations continue.

‘Complex military offensive’

In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump described the campaign as “one of the most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen." He said operations would continue until all objectives were achieved and insisted the campaign was unfolding largely as planned.

He claimed far more Iranian leaders had been killed than expected, referring to about 48 senior figures.

Warning over nuclear threat

Trump said the offensive was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring long-range missiles and nuclear weapons, calling such capabilities a dire threat to American security. He said strikes had significantly weakened Iran’s military infrastructure.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has threatened further retaliation, with counterstrikes reportedly targeting US bases in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

involvement and next steps

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed Britain had allowed the US to use two British military bases for limited defensive purposes aimed at preventing missile launches threatening British nationals and regional stability.

Trump said he had spoken with leaders in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan and planned another address after consulting military commanders.

He concluded by urging “Iranian patriots" to pursue political change, while repeating that US operations would continue until all objectives are met.

News world ‘It’s A Big Country’: Trump Warns Iran Conflict May Last 4 Weeks As Operation Epic Fury Continues

Read More