Iran war, said to be over "very soon," nears 6 months
The Iran war — defined by fits and starts and strain on America's military — will hit the half-year mark next week with both Washington and Tehran betting they can outlast one another. Why it matters: President Trump has repeatedly promised the fight would be quick, decisive and over " very soon ." The big picture: The war's length is pushing once-niche national-security issues — munitions levels…
The Iran war, which has been marked by intermittent skirmishes and strain on America's military, will reach the six-month milestone next week, according to both Washington and Tehran who believe they can outlast each other. President Trump had repeatedly promised that the conflict would be swift, decisive, and over "very soon." This prolonged conflict is drawing attention to lesser-known national-security issues, such as munitions levels, defense contracting, and at-sea replenishment.
The Navy has become the primary focus, as extended deployments put ships, sailors, Marines, and their families under significant strain.
President Trump recently expressed a desire to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz, labeling it a "U.S. territory" on Truth Social. He further threatened to "bomb the shit out of Oman," a nation that has invested billions of dollars in acquiring U.S. weapons. Days earlier, it was reported that an American aircraft carrier in the Pacific, the USS George Washington, was being dispatched to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The extended time at sea for the George Washington, exceeding 250 days, has been a subject of scrutiny following reports of several distressed service members attempting to jump overboard.
The Pentagon has not held a press briefing in months and has faced criticism for concealing troop deaths on an online tracker.
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