Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 1: US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington’s ongoing military campaign against Iran could either expand significantly or conclude within days, underscoring that he retains several options for ending the conflict.
Speaking in a brief phone interview with Axios from Mar-a-Lago, Trump said the United States could intensify operations and “take over the whole thing” or swiftly wrap up the strikes and issue a stern warning to Tehran against reviving its nuclear and missile ambitions. He predicted that, regardless of the path chosen, Iran would need years to recover from the damage inflicted so far.
The remarks provided rare insight into Trump’s calculations as the campaign unfolds. While some US and Israeli voices have framed the operation as potentially paving the way for regime change, Trump’s comments suggested he is still weighing a limited strike strategy that would combine military pressure with renewed ultimatums. His approach also reflects domestic political realities, including calls from parts of his political base to avoid another prolonged Middle East conflict.
Trump attributed the decision to launch the strikes to two primary factors. First, he pointed to the collapse of nuclear negotiations in Geneva, led by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He said Tehran appeared to waver during the talks, coming close to an agreement before retreating, which he interpreted as a lack of genuine intent to reach a deal.
Second, Trump cited Iran’s record over the past 25 years, saying he reviewed a compilation of alleged Iranian-linked attacks worldwide while preparing his address announcing the strikes. According to him, the pattern of activity reinforced his belief that stronger action was necessary.
He also claimed that Iran had begun reconstruction work at nuclear facilities targeted during last June’s 12-Day War. While independent analysts observed building activity at some sites, they stopped short of confirming any resumption of nuclear operations.
Trump emphasized that his earlier authorization of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which he said severely damaged three Iranian nuclear facilities, was crucial in enabling the current offensive. In his view, failing to act earlier might have allowed Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, making subsequent military action far more difficult.
The broader US-Israeli campaign has been described as one of the most extensive military undertakings in the region in decades, aimed not only at weakening Iran’s military infrastructure but also at reshaping the strategic balance. Although initial planning reportedly envisioned at least five days of sustained bombing, Trump indicated that the timeline remains fluid and could shift depending on battlefield developments, including the status of Iran’s Supreme Leader, who has been targeted alongside other senior officials.