Observer: US-Israel War with Iran Expected to Continue
Jakarta — Middle East observer Faisal Assegaf has assessed that the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran is unlikely to subside in the near term, despite Gulf region nations celebrating Eid al-Fitr next week.
According to Faisal, several statements from Iranian officials demonstrate Tehran’s readiness to engage in prolonged conflict. “The war will continue because the key to ending it lies with Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson, Brigadier General Ali Naini, stated that Iran is prepared to fight against the United States and Israel for six months,” Faisal said when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He noted that Iran’s commitment to enduring extended warfare has also been expressed by other officials in Tehran. One such statement came from Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, who declared that Iran has sworn to fight with all its strength.
Faisal added that Iran has firmly rejected ceasefire proposals and instead chosen to continue the war. This position has also been expressed by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.
“For Iran, the war will only stop if the United States and Israel surrender, meaning they cease warfare,” Faisal stated.
On the other hand, he noted that the United States Department of Defense headquarters, the Pentagon, is reportedly preparing military operational plans for a one-hundred-day timeframe.
“This indicates that both sides are signalling the war will be prolonged. Furthermore, President Trump previously stated the war would occur within four to five weeks, which was later revised to five weeks,” Faisal explained.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states—Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—have become targets of Iranian counter-attacks due to their hosting of American military assets.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February, which have so far resulted in over 1,200 deaths, including Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.