President Donald Trump admitted in a letter to Congress that it is “not possible at this time to know” how long the U.S. attacks on Iran would last.
In an official notification to Congress about Trump’s war on Iran, the president set out how he does not have a clear timeline for the military action, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, that he launched on February 28.
“Although the United States desires a quick and enduring peace, it is not possible at this time to know the full scope and duration of military operations that may be necessary,” Trump wrote Monday.
Following the letter, Trump caused alarm in a separate Truth Social post Monday night, where he said that “wars can be fought forever.”
Trump has offered vague and inconsistent timelines for the conflict. He said Sunday that the bombing could last “four to five weeks.”
The president sent the letter under the War Powers Act, requiring him to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying U.S. troops. In addition, it requires that troops be withdrawn within 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension, if Congress has not declared war or authorized the use of military force.
He wrote that the threat to the U.S. from Iran has become “untenable” to justify the military action, which has so far killed six American service members and seriously wounded 18.
The strikes on Iran have killed at least 787 people, according to the Red Crescent, and the non-profit Human Rights Activists in Iran reports that 176 children are among the dead.
Trump set out in the letter that the mission “was planned and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties, deter future attacks and neutralize Iran’s malign activities.”
In Monday’s Truth Social post, Trump said the U.S. has a “virtually unlimited supply” of weapons stockpiles.
“The United States Munitions Stockpiles have, at the medium and upper medium grade, never been higher or better – As was stated to me today, we have a virtually unlimited supply of these weapons,” Trump said. “Wars can be fought “forever,” and very successfully, using just these supplies (which are better than other countries finest arms!).”
The president has brushed off fury from his MAGA base following criticism of the strikes from prominent right-wing figures, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly.
Conservative podcast host Kelly said she had “serious doubts” over the military action and questioned whether they were worth the deaths of multiple U.S. service members, while Carlson said the bombing campaign was “absolutely disgusting and evil.”
In an interview with independent D.C. newsletter The Inner Circle Monday night, the president declared that his base is still behind him.
“I have to do what’s right, number one — and you can’t have Iran getting a nuclear weapon. That’s predominant to me,” Trump said. “I think that MAGA is Trump — MAGA’s not the other two,” he said, referring to Kelly and Carlson. “MAGA wants to see our country thrive and be safe. And MAGA loves what I’m doing — every aspect of it…”
