Iran war likely to drag on for another six months, ex-US defense secretary warns

Key Points:

• Former US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned that the conflict between the US and Iran, initiated by Donald Trump over six months ago, is likely to continue for another six months and risks becoming a prolonged "forever war" without a clear resolution.
• Panetta highlighted internal turmoil within the Pentagon, including the recent resignation of US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, which he believes undermines US military leadership and projects weakness to adversaries such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
• He outlined three potential paths for Trump: admit the war is a failure and withdraw, continue a stalemate with periodic skirmishes, or take decisive action to control the strategic Strait of Hormuz to remove Iran’s leverage over global trade.
• Panetta criticized Trump’s credibility over claims of imminent peace deals and control of the strait, suggesting that without a clear and committed strategy, the US risks a protracted conflict similar to Iraq and Afghanistan.
• The former official also expressed concern over the prolonged deployment of US forces, such as the USS Abraham Lincoln’s 260-day mission without a port visit, emphasizing the need for better support and rotation plans for military personnel in ongoing conflicts.