How Long Will the War on Iran Last? Conflicting Estimates Between Weeks and Months Amid Escalating Confrontation

The military confrontation with Iran continues amid a noticeable escalation in military operations and increasing fears of it turning into a long conflict. With the war entering its second week since its outbreak on February 28, estimates from the involved parties vary regarding the duration this conflict may take.

These questions arise amid increasing disruptions in maritime and air traffic in the region, along with a significant rise in global oil prices, reflecting the direct economic impacts of the conflict.

Israeli Estimates: A War That May Last Longer

Israeli estimates suggest that the war may last longer than some American officials expect. The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported from informed sources that Israeli military estimates predict fighting will continue for at least a month.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir confirmed that the confrontation with Tehran could be prolonged, describing it as "the war of our generation," referring to its scale and potential impact on the region.

Washington Predicts a Short War

In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump believes that military operations will not last long, expecting the war to end within four to five weeks.
Trump emphasized that the current confrontation will not turn into a long-term open war like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, asserting that the decision to end operations may be mutual between the United States and Israel.
He also clarified that he does not expect Washington to leave Israel alone on the battlefield if the U.S. decides to end its military involvement.

The Pentagon: The War Is Not Endless

For its part, the U.S. administration confirmed that the war is not open-ended. Vice President Jay D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that military operations are not aimed at waging a long war.
The Defense Secretary stated that the duration of the war could range from two weeks to six weeks, affirming that the U.S. president has full authority to determine the course of operations and when to end them.
However, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Keen warned that fighting is still far from over, reflecting differing estimates within the U.S. military establishment.

Iran: Ready to Fight for 6 Months

In contrast, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced its readiness to continue the confrontation for a long period, asserting that its forces have the preparedness and capabilities to continue the war for up to six months.
This statement comes amid ongoing exchanges of strikes between Iran and Israel, with an increase in the launch of missiles and drones between the two sides.

Widening Confrontation in the Region

The repercussions of the war have not been limited to Iran and Israel alone; they have extended to other areas in the Middle East. American bases and sites in Iraq have been targeted by drone attacks carried out by armed factions loyal to Tehran.
Hezbollah has also entered the confrontation by launching rockets and drones towards Israel, while the latter responded with extensive strikes targeting areas in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Disruptions in Maritime and Air Traffic

The war has also caused significant disruptions in maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime routes for oil transport, in addition to disruptions in air traffic in several countries in the region.

As the escalation continues, the duration of the war remains uncertain, with differing estimates among the main parties and all scenarios open to possibilities of escalation or de-escalation.