U.S. official to Fox News: The airstrikes will continue for days, not hours.

A U.S. official told Fox News that the ongoing airstrikes against targets in Iran are expected to continue for days rather than just hours, signaling a far more sustained and methodical military campaign than many observers initially anticipated. The remark immediately reframed public understanding of the operation. What some had assumed might be a brief punitive strike now appears to be part of a broader and more deliberate strategic effort, designed not simply to send a warning but to systematically degrade specific capabilities over time.

According to the official, the operation is unfolding in clearly defined phases. Rather than concentrating force in a single overwhelming wave, planners are reportedly sequencing the strikes—targeting military infrastructure, command-and-control nodes, weapons storage facilities, air defense systems, and other strategic sites in successive rounds. This phased approach reflects careful preparation and long-term objectives. It suggests that military leaders are prioritizing sustained operational pressure, aiming to weaken critical systems incrementally while maintaining flexibility to adapt as the situation evolves.