Pentagon prepares for Israeli-US war on Iran that could last until September: Report

US Central Command has requested the Pentagon to increase its deployment of intelligence officers, signaling readiness for a protracted conflict with Iran. The move, detailed in a report by Politico, suggests military operations may extend beyond initial expectations, potentially lasting into the late summer.

According to the outlet, the reinforcements are intended to support sustained efforts against Iran, with a minimum of 100 days and a possible stretch until September. This marks the first known action by the Trump administration to bolster intelligence staff for the ongoing campaign, indicating a shift from earlier projections of a short-term engagement.

Weeks ago, President Donald Trump had indicated the military campaign might last four to five weeks. However, the updated timeline reveals a more extended strategy, as the Pentagon scrambles to adapt to the war’s evolving scope. The rapid mobilization highlights a gap in preparedness, with officials now facing the consequences of an aggressive assault on Iran.

Politico previously reported that Trump’s advisors favored an Israeli-led strike on Iran before US involvement. That plan materialized, drawing Washington into the conflict. The combined attacks have resulted in at least 700 deaths and hundreds of injuries, including over 165 children killed in a school bombing, as documented by the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Meanwhile, US forces in Kuwait have suffered casualties from Iranian strikes, with six personnel reported dead. The war now threatens to shape the latter half of Trump’s presidency, intensifying debates within his political coalition over continued involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

Washington’s Strategic Shift

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the necessity of the US response, stating, “We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. … We would suffer higher casualties.” His comments reflect the administration’s decision to act after Israel’s offensive pushed the United States into the conflict.

“We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t pre-emptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the joint operation, framing it as a long-awaited achievement. “This coalition of forces allows us to do what I have yearned to do for 40 years. … This is what I promised—and this is what we shall do,” he declared, highlighting the alignment of Israeli and US objectives in targeting Iran.