US President Donald Trump has indicated that the ongoing conflict with Iran could extend for several weeks, suggesting Washington anticipated a sustained campaign rather than a swift resolution. 

In remarks reported by the Daily Mail, Trump framed the potential conflict as a time-bound but complex operation against a large and resilient adversary, while also signalling that diplomatic channels with Tehran remain nominally open despite rising tensions. 

“It’s always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four-week process so – as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks – or less,” the British newspaper quoted Trump as saying. 

Trump told the newspaper he remained open to more talks with the Iranians, but did not say if that would happen “soon.” 

“I don’t know,” Trump said, according to the report. “They want to talk, but I said you should have talked last week, not this week,” he added. 

The remarks came as over 200 people have died as fighting intensified in the wake of coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. 

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several other key figures of Iranian military and political circles were killed in the attacks. Tehran has responded with missile and drone strikes, widening the confrontation across the Middle East. 

“Combat operations continue at this time in full-force and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives,” Trump said. The president said an Iranian regime with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons “would be a dire threat” to every American and that the Iranian leaders had “waged war against civilization itself.” 

Trump maintained that the military operation was unfolding largely as planned. “No, I think it’s going as per planned. You know, other than we took out their entire leadership — far, far more than what we thought. Looks like 48,” he said, referring to senior Iranian figures reportedly killed. 

As the conflict deepens, Trump’s latest remarks signal that Washington is prepared for weeks of continued military action — even as the possibility of negotiations remains uncertain.