Trump's Special Envoy Witkoff Uncertain How US Operations Against Iran Will End

Washington (ANTARA) — Steve Witkoff, special envoy to US President Donald Trump, stated that he lacks a clear picture of how American military operations against Iran will conclude amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

“I do not know, Sarah. What I do know is that President Donald Trump is not someone to be challenged,” Witkoff said in an interview on Tuesday with CNBC when asked about the possible conclusion of the military operations.

The statement emerged after the United States and Israel launched strikes against several targets in Iran on 28 February, including in the capital Tehran.

The strikes reportedly caused damage to several facilities and resulted in civilian casualties.

Iran subsequently retaliated by launching attacks on Israeli territory and American military facilities in the Middle East region.

Washington and Tel Aviv initially stated that the strikes, which they characterised as a “preventive” measure, were necessary to address threats deemed to originate from Iran’s nuclear programme.

However, subsequently, both nations also expressed a desire to see a change in power in Iran.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported to have been killed on the first day of the military operations.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s government subsequently declared a 40-day period of national mourning.

This escalation of conflict has triggered reactions from several countries, including Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described Khamenei’s killing as a cynical violation of international law.

According to the Kremlin, the action has the potential to worsen regional stability that is already fraught with tension.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the military operations conducted by the United States and Israel.

Moscow urged all parties to immediately undertake de-escalation and cease hostilities.