Trump: Two weeks is enough to bomb all targets in Iran
In a new escalation reflecting the depth of regional and international tensions, US President Donald Trump issued strongly worded warnings, asserting that US forces are capable of striking all targets in Iran within a period not exceeding two weeks. These statements come amidst the continuing serious repercussions of the military operations launched by Washington and Tel Aviv in late February, which resulted in radical changes to the security and political landscape of the Middle East.
Background to the tensions and the possibility of bombing all targets in Iran
Trump’s threats to bomb all targets in Iran were not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather the culmination of a long history of tensions between Washington and Tehran. Since the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018, the American administration has pursued a policy of “maximum pressure,” which has included crippling economic sanctions and targeted military operations. In his recent interview with independent journalist Cheryl Atkison, Trump clearly indicated that Tehran had been militarily defeated in the latest confrontation in February, even though the Iranian leadership might not publicly acknowledge this defeat. He explained that the US military had already destroyed approximately 70 percent of the pre-determined targets and that two more weeks would be sufficient to eliminate the remainder of Iran’s military infrastructure, adding that this did not mean the Iranians were completely finished.
NATO's position and the repercussions of closing the Strait of Hormuz
In his remarks, the US president addressed the role of Western allies, sharply criticizing NATO and describing it as a “paper tiger.” This harsh verbal attack came against the backdrop of the alliance’s reluctance to provide direct military support to the United States in its efforts to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively closed the strait since the start of the joint US-Israeli attack on February 28, posing an unprecedented challenge to international freedom of navigation and highlighting a clear lack of coordination between Washington and its European allies.
Regional and international impacts of military operations
These field and political developments carry profound implications on both the regional and international levels. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important waterways, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies pass. Its continued closure or constant threats portend global economic crises, manifested in soaring energy prices and increased maritime shipping costs. Regionally, these confrontations exacerbate polarization and place countries in the region on high alert in anticipation of any full-scale escalation. Furthermore, the US-Israeli coordination in these operations reflects a shared strategy aimed at curbing Iranian influence in the region and preventing Tehran from developing its military capabilities, which Tel Aviv and Washington consider a direct threat to their interests. Internationally, the divergence in positions between the United States and its NATO allies reflects significant challenges facing traditional Western alliances in dealing with the complex crises of the Middle East, underscoring that the region remains on a knife's edge.
