Iran warns next war with US could last even longer

Tehran has warned that a renewed war with the United States could last longer than the previous conflict, following President Donald Trump's admission of still needing to address additional targets in Iran. Diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war have been marred by repeated threats from both the US and Israel to resume airstrikes as they prepare for important elections.

A future war might extend beyond the duration of past conflicts, according to Iran's army spokesman. In the most intense phase of the war, which started on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks throughout the region. The fighting extended to Lebanon and Yemen, with Iran-aligned armed groups participating.

Iran's military and political leaders have cautioned against any new attack, with Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, specifying a vast theater for potential damage to the enemy. Iran's security chief received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance, seeking to restart talks, expressing a positive change in tone from the US side.

However, Tehran remains firm on its conditions, including unfreezing Iranian assets abroad, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, lifting sanctions, and ceasing hostilities. The prospect of renewed conflict has instilled a sense of helplessness among some Iranian residents, while others remain unconcerned, given the longstanding nature of the conflict.