Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued strong warnings to Iran on Wednesday, emphasizing that Israel’s military campaign is far from over. He said, “The campaign is not over. We will continue to crush the terror regime.” His comments came even as US President Donald Trump suggested that the ongoing conflict could end within weeks.
Diverging Timelines: Trump vs. Netanyahu
Trump gave a clear timeline for the war’s end, stating it could conclude in two to three weeks. Speaking from the Oval Office, he said, “We’ll be leaving very soon… maybe within two weeks, maybe three. But we’re finishing the job.” He also added, “We want to knock out every single thing they have… it’s possible that we’ll make a deal before that.”
Netanyahu, however, presented a starkly different message. He insisted that Israel’s campaign against Iran would continue and claimed that Israel had “changed the face of the Middle East.” The Israeli prime minister also signaled intentions to continue offensive operations in Lebanon, with Defence Minister Israel Katz stating that Israel would occupy parts of southern Lebanon and that “all the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished.”
Rising Tensions in the Gulf
The US and Israel had launched surprise strikes on Iran last month. Iran retaliated strongly, and the conflict has since affected stability in several Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Iran Signals Willingness to End Conflict
Despite Netanyahu’s hardline stance, Iran has shown readiness to negotiate an end to the conflict, provided there are guarantees against further aggression. Pezeshkian, speaking with the European Council president, said, “We possess the necessary will to end this conflict, provided that essential conditions are met—especially the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression.”
Iran also responded to a 15-point US plan for ending the war with a five-point counterproposal, seeking assurances that neither the US nor Israel would resume hostilities.
Uncertain Future
The differing statements from Trump, Netanyahu, and Iran highlight the uncertainty surrounding the conflict’s future. While the US hints at a near-term resolution, Israel signals continued military action, and Iran calls for guarantees to prevent further escalation. The situation remains tense and unpredictable, with multiple parties holding contrasting timelines and conditions for peace.