‘We will easily prevail’: Trump says Iran conflict to last ‘four to five weeks,’ could go longer

President Donald Trump on Monday outlined military objectives in Iran, including “destroying Iran’s missile capabilities” and ensuring it cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.

He said U.S. strikes are projected to last “four to five weeks,” but added that “we have capability to go far longer than that.”

“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat to the Middle East, but also to the American people. Our country itself would be under threat,” Trump said at a White House event attended by The Lion. “For almost 47 years, this regime has been attacking the United States and killing Americans.”

Trump said the operation over the weekend was “our last best chance to strike” to “eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime.” He criticized Tehran for failing to heed U.S. warnings to halt its nuclear program and cited its rapidly expanding ballistic missile program as a “colossal threat to America and our forces stationed overseas.”

“The regime already had missiles capable of hitting Europe and our bases, both local and overseas, and would soon have had missiles capable of reaching our beautiful America,” he said.

Trump said the U.S. would pursue four military objectives in Iran.

“First, we’re destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, which is happening hourly. Second, we’re annihilating their navy. We’ve knocked out 10 ships already. They’re at the bottom of the sea,” he said. “Third, we’re ensuring that the world’s number one sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon.”

Finally, the U.S. seeks to ensure that Iran cannot “continue to arm, fund, and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders,” he said.

Trump thanked American service members for their actions and expressed grief for four service members killed in action during the operation.

“In their memory, we continue this mission with ferocious, unyielding resolve to crush the threat this terrorist regime poses to the American people,” he said. “We have the strongest and most powerful, by far, military in the world, and we will easily prevail.”

Americans disapprove of attacks, poll finds

Only 27% of Americans approve of the strikes in Iran, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over the weekend, while 49% disapprove and 29% said they are unsure. Trump has dismissed the low approval ratings and told the New York Post that he does not care about polling and must “do the right thing.”

Trump’s remarks came ahead of a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House recognizing three soldiers for bravery during World War II, the Vietnam War and the war in Afghanistan.

Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds was recognized posthumously for defying his Nazi captors as a prisoner of war and helping protect more than 200 Jewish American prisoners.

Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, who was killed in combat in 2013, was recognized for saving another soldier’s life by shielding him with his body. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson was honored for “acts of gallantry” during the Vietnam War that spared the lives of 85 soldiers.

(Image credit: The White House)