Pentagon prepares for Israeli-US war on Iran that could last ‘until September’

Pentagon prepares for Israeli-US war on Iran that could last ‘until September’

The U.S. military is accelerating intelligence efforts as Washington gears up for an extended conflict against Iran, with operations now planned well into the fall. This escalation suggests the war, which involves cooperation with Israel, may extend beyond initial expectations.

A recent Politico report disclosed that U.S. Central Command has requested the Pentagon to add more intelligence officers to its Tampa headquarters. These personnel would back operations targeting Iran for at least 100 days, possibly stretching to September.

The move represents the Trump administration’s first known step to bolster intelligence staff for the conflict. It signals a shift from a short campaign to a prolonged effort, contradicting earlier public statements about the war’s duration.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump hinted the military action might last four to five weeks, but cautioned it could “go far longer than that.” The sudden deployment of resources highlights how unprepared Washington was for the conflict’s scale, according to Politico.

Politico previously reported on February 25 that Trump’s advisors favored letting Israel strike Iran first before the U.S. launched its own attacks. That strategy has now materialized, pulling Washington into the war.

Iranian Red Crescent Society estimates at least 700 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Israeli-U.S. strikes. The deadliest incident involved a double-tap attack on an elementary school, resulting in over 165 fatalities, predominantly children.

On Monday, U.S. Central Command confirmed six American troops were killed in Kuwait after an Iranian strike. The conflict now threatens to shape Trump’s presidency and widen rifts within his political coalition.

“We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “We knew that would trigger an attack on American forces, and we knew if we didn’t act before, we’d face more casualties.”

Rubio’s comments reveal Washington’s reluctance to limit Israel’s role despite the unintended consequences of the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly praised the second U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran in less than a year.

“This coalition of forces allows us to do what I have yearned to do for 40 years,” Netanyahu stated. “This is what I promised—and this is what we shall do.”