Iran operation can ‘go long’ or end ‘in two or three days’ – Trump

(BBC News) There are several options for “off ramps” to de-escalation after the US’ military operation in Iran, Donald Trump says.

“I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: ‘See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear programme],'” he tells Axios.

It’s the first time the US president has commented on the operation since announcing the strikes on Saturday morning.

He says he finally took the decision to green-light the strikes due to the lack of progress over nuclear negotiations this week.

“The Iranians got close and then pulled back — close and then pulled back. I understood from that that they don’t really want a deal,” he says, according to the US outlet, which says they spoke to Trump for five minutes over the phone.