The United States has vowed to continue its military campaign in Iran until Iranian forces are “totally and decisively defeated,” according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who emphasized that the conclusion of the war will be determined on the U.S.’s timeline. His comments followed seemingly contradictory statements from President Donald Trump about when the conflict might end.
Trump also weighed in on Iran’s leadership transition, expressing doubts that Mojtaba Khamenei, designated to succeed his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, can “live in peace.” The new supreme leader has yet to issue any public statements.
Meanwhile, Israel carried out a large-scale wave of strikes in the Iranian capital of Tehran overnight. Residents described what CNN called “constant shelling,” with one noting it felt like “one of the worst nights so far.” The escalating conflict has already claimed over 1,700 lives across the Middle East.
The war is also creating a global economic ripple. Iran, the world’s top oil exporter, has warned that continued disruption of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger catastrophic consequences for international markets, underscoring the far-reaching stakes of the ongoing hostilities.#newsafro_
