Ex-US Defence Chief Warns Iran Conflict Could Drag On for Six More Months

Former US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has cautioned that the ongoing military confrontation with Iran could persist for another six months, raising fears of another prolonged American entanglement in the Middle East.

Speaking to a British newspaper, Panetta described the situation as a "terrible stalemate," with neither side willing to negotiate or back down. He warned that the conflict could evolve into a "forever war" reminiscent of the US campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Panetta, who also served as CIA director under President Barack Obama, argued that President Donald Trump has limited room to manoeuvre. "He's boxed himself in," Panetta said, noting that Trump faces a difficult choice between escalating the war or withdrawing without appearing to have failed.

The former defence chief outlined three possible paths for the President: accepting defeat and pulling out, allowing the stalemate to continue with periodic attacks, or seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz—a waterway that Iran has used to disrupt global oil shipments.

Panetta insisted that the war could only become "winnable" if Washington made reopening the Strait of Hormuz its primary objective. "It's only winnable if there is a dramatic change in the attitude of the United States," he said, adding that Tehran's ability to threaten the strait gives it significant leverage over the US and the global economy.

He also criticised Trump's repeated claims that a deal was imminent and that the strait remained open, saying such statements have eroded the President's credibility. "Any threats he makes are totally ignored," Panetta said, pointing to growing public opposition to the war.

Panetta's remarks come amid reported turmoil at the Pentagon, following the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. He warned that US troops are fighting while the military leadership faces internal chaos, sending a "message of weakness" to adversaries like China, Russia, and North Korea.

He also highlighted the prolonged deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which spent over 260 days at sea without a port visit, raising concerns about crew morale and mental health. "You do not deploy people endlessly into a war zone without making plans for rotation," Panetta said, adding that there is a broader lack of trust in the military's support for its personnel.