President Donald Trump told Time magazine he extended U.S. action in Iran "because I wanted to go further," even though he had earlier predicted the campaign would be brief. The conflict, initially expected to last roughly eight weeks, has entered its seventh month with no clear end. Trump framed the extended campaign as a way to prevent Iran from returning "in some different form," and said annihilating Iran would create peace—remarks that contrast with his claim to be a peacemaker. He did not address the potential impact on civilians.
Trump Says He Kept U.S. Campaign in Iran Going "Because I Wanted To Go Further" — Time Interview
In a Time magazine interview published Thursday, President Donald Trump was asked to explain why the U.S. campaign in Iran has lasted far longer than he initially predicted.
Trump originally said the operation would last about eight weeks, but the conflict has now entered its seventh month with no clear end in sight. Asked why the campaign continued, the president said it persisted "only because I wanted to go further."
"I took them out. I could have stopped then, but I wanted to go further," Trump told Time. "When I said I was going to be there for a short period of time, I was, and then I decided I wanted to go further than that because I didn't want to have them come back in some different form."
The Time reporter pointed to an apparent contradiction between Trump's self-description as a peacemaker and his repeated, aggressive rhetoric toward Iran. In the interview Trump said, "By annihilating Iran, we've created peace in the world. With Iran, I don't think you could ever have peace."
The president did not address what carrying out such threats would mean for civilians on the ground or for wider regional stability. Observers and critics have raised concerns about civilian harm and the long-term consequences of an extended military campaign.
Read more: time.com
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