Trump Outlines Potential 'Off Ramps' from U.S.-Israel Military Strike on Iran
President Donald Trump has indicated several possible exit strategies from the ongoing joint military operation with Israel targeting Iran, suggesting in a brief phone interview with Axios that he could conclude the conflict within a matter of days. "I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians, 'See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs],'" the president stated. He emphasized that regardless of the approach, Iran would require several years to recover from the attack's impact.
Operation Epic Fury Draws Mixed GOP Response and Justification
The significant combat initiative, designated "Operation Epic Fury" by the defense department, has elicited a divided reaction from the Republican Party. Critics have voiced concerns over the potential for a foreign war and the absence of congressional approval for the action. Trump, who is considering the concept of regime change, defended the strike by asserting that Iran has persistently advanced its nuclear capabilities with intentions to develop missiles capable of reaching the United States.
In his announcement of the military engagement, Trump declared, "My administration is taking every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill." He added, "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission."
Factors Leading to the Strike and Operational Timeline
According to Trump's remarks to Axios, the military operation was precipitated by two primary factors. First, negotiations this week regarding Iran's nuclear program, led by real estate developer Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, ultimately failed. Second, Trump cited Iran's longstanding aggressive military behavior, noting, "I saw that every month they did something bad, blew something up or killed someone."
The U.S. military is reportedly preparing for a potential weeks-long operation against Iran, as indicated by two U.S. officials speaking to Reuters. However, Trump suggested that the timeline for the planned U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign, initially set to last at least five days, could be altered. A key variable in this adjustment is whether Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is eliminated. As of Saturday afternoon, senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were reporting that Khamenei had been killed.
