Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking on Fox News’ Hannity, said that “the US and Israel's war against Iran may take "some time", but it will not take years,” pushing back against comparisons to past prolonged conflicts in the region.

The fighting began after coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted sites in Tehran over the weekend. The strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, triggering swift retaliation from Iran, including missile attacks aimed at Israel and at Arab nations hosting U.S. military bases. The developments have deepened instability across an already volatile Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump initially suggested that military operations could last four to five weeks but later acknowledged that the timeline could extend further. His messaging has evolved since the strikes were launched. At first, he encouraged Iranians to “take back” their country, language widely interpreted as support for regime change. By Monday, however, Trump shifted his emphasis, stating that the campaign’s primary objective is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to restrain its ballistic missile capabilities, the allegations Tehran continues to deny.

Netanyahu said the US and Israel's war against Iran was creating a scenario for the Iranian people to topple their government. "Now, of course, it's up to the people of Iran in the final count to change the government, but we are creating - America and Israel together are creating - the conditions for them to do so," he said.

Netanyahu framed the war as both a security necessity and a strategic opportunity. He suggested the conflict might open doors to broader diplomatic breakthroughs in the region, including the possibility of stronger ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Despite these assertions, public opinion in the United States appears divided. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over the weekend found that only about one-quarter of Americans support the strikes on Iran.

As events unfold, questions remain about how long the conflict will last, whether its objectives will shift further, and what its long-term impact will be on regional stability. As the conflict continues to evolve, much remains uncertain about its ultimate trajectory and consequences.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)