U.S. President Donald Trump has said military operations against Iran may continue for up to four or five weeks, asserting that Washington and its allies have the capacity to sustain the current level of strikes.
In remarks to The New York Times, Trump stated that he sees three “strong” potential candidates capable of leading Iran, though he declined to identify them. He pointed to the U.S. strategy in Venezuela involving former president Nicolás Maduro as a possible template, suggesting that leadership change does not necessarily require dismantling the entire state structure.
Trump said American and Israeli forces could maintain strikes at the present pace, citing extensive U.S. military resources positioned around the world. He also claimed that recent operations have inflicted significant damage on Iran’s naval capabilities, including multiple vessels and key command facilities.
Separately, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, indicated that an interim body would administer the country until a new supreme leader is selected. Trump did not directly respond when asked whether Larijani could assume a leading role.
Addressing the possibility of political transition in Tehran, Trump suggested that elements of Iran’s military leadership, including the Revolutionary Guards, could ultimately yield to public pressure. He added that longstanding dissatisfaction among segments of the Iranian population could create conditions for internal change.
The U.S. president further said he does not expect Gulf Arab states to participate directly in the campaign against Iran. He signaled that economic sanctions could be reconsidered if a future Iranian leadership demonstrates willingness to engage constructively, while cautioning that it remains too early to make firm commitments regarding U.S. support for any domestic political upheaval.
Trump Offers Surrender Policy to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards & Says Three Strong Candidates Exist to Lead Iran
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