Live updates: Trump says Iran operations likely to last 4 to 5 weeks

The after effects of the massive weekend attack on Iran are continuing as the Islamic Republic’s leadership is still in limbo and President Donald Trump says the operation could go on for weeks. 

The conflict has intensified into a wider war in the region. Iran and its allied armed groups have launched missiles at Israel, Arab states and U.S. military targets in the Middle East.

Meanwhile:

The Associated Press reported that at least 555 people have been killed in Iran so far by the U.S.-Israeli campaign. Four American service members had died, according to the U.S. Central Command, and Trump predicted over the weekend there would be more U.S. casualties.

Here are the latest updates from Monday:

President Trump first public remarks

11:45 a.m. ET – President Trump spoke publicly Monday morning for the first time since the massive weekend attack on Iran, saying the operations were likely to last 4 to 5 weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”

He laid out the Trump administration’s objectives for the operation: to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, to “annihilate” their navy, to ensure the country doesn’t obtain a nuclear weapon and that the regime “cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”

“Today,” he added, “we grieve for the four heroic American service members who have been killed in action and send our love and support to their families. In their memory, we continue this mission with ferocious, unyielding resolve to crush the threat this terrorist regime poses to the American people.”

Hegseth speaks: ‘This is not endless’

8:45 a.m. ET: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine held the Trump administration’s first news briefing since Saturday’s strikes.

Hegseth spoke to widening concerns the strikes could spiral into a protracted regional conflict by declaring, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless.” 

Hegseth said the operation have a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” to “destroy the missile threat” from Iran, destroy its navy and “no nukes.” 

Asked if there are currently boots on the ground in Iran, he said, “No, but we’re not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do.” He said it was “foolishness” to expect U.S. officials to say publicly “here’s exactly how far we’ll go.”

A fourth US service member has died in the Iran operation, US military says

8:15 a.m. ET: A fourth U.S. service member has died during the war with Iran, the U.S. Central Command announced on Monday.

The service member was wounded during the initial stage of Operation Epic Fury and died on Monday, it said. Three other service members have been killed since Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iran on Saturday.

Correction: A previous Associated Press version of this post incorrectly stated that five U.S. service members had been killed during the war with Iran.

15 wounded in Iranian missile strike on southern Israel

7:23 a.m. ET: The Associated Press reported that Israel’s rescue services said at least 15 people were wounded Monday by Iranian missiles in the southern city of Beer Sheba. Searches are ongoing for additional victims, and several missile attacks targeted Israel from Iran on Monday.

Lebanese leaders slam Hezbollah for provoking Israeli strikes

7:20 a.m. ET: Lebanon’s president and the prime minister blasted Hezbollah for firing rockets into Israel early Monday, calling them “illegal” acts that give Israel a pretext to destroy the country.

According to the Associated Press, the announcement came after a five-hour Cabinet meeting to discuss Hezbollah’s firing of missiles and drones that triggered a deadly Israeli retaliation and the displacement of tens of thousands of people.

Etihad Airways says Abu Dhabi flights suspended until Tuesday

6:45 a.m. ET: Etihad Airways says in its latest update that all flights to and from its base in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, will now remain suspended until 2 p.m. (1000 GMT) on Tuesday.

Etihad, like fellow Gulf airlines Emirates and Qatar Airways, mainly serves long-haul travelers, whose plans have been disrupted by the closure of regional airspace.

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Lebanon’s government demands Hezbollah hand over its weapons

6:44 a.m. ET: The Associated Press reported Monday that Lebanon’s government says it considers Hezbollah’s military activities illegal and says the Iranian-backed group should hand over its weapons.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said only the state can decides whether to go to war. He added on Monday that all of Hezbollah’s military activities are banned and Hezbollah should only work in politics.

According to the AP, the government called on security agencies to prevent the firing of missiles or drones and detain those behind it. Hezbollah said it fired missiles from Lebanon into Israel early Monday in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and “repeated Israeli aggressions.” Israel retaliated with strikes on Lebanon, killing at least 31 people and wounding 149 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

US military says Kuwait ‘mistakenly shot down’ 3 F-15E Strike Eagles during combat

6:35 a.m. ET: The U.S. military said Monday that Kuwait “mistakenly shot down” three American F-15E Strike Eagles during a combat mission as Iran attacked the country.

The U.S. military’s Central Command said the combat included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones — the first time Iran’s aging combat fleet has been engaged in the war.

“The U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” it said. “All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”

Oil tanker is attacked in the Gulf of Oman, killing 1

6:30 a.m. ET: A bomb-carrying drone boat exploded against a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, killing one mariner on board, Oman said.

The state-run Oman News Agency said the attack occurred in the Gulf of Oman off Muscat, the sultanate’s capital. It identified the vessel as the MKD VYOM. It said the dead crew member was from India.

Iran has been threatening vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.

Iran says it targeted a US aircraft that crashed in Kuwait

6:15 a.m. ET: Iranian state television claimed that Iran had targeted one of the U.S. aircraft that crashed in Kuwait. It did not elaborate.

Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said earlier Monday that several U.S. warplanes crashed, and all the pilots safely bailed out and were in stable condition.

The U.S. military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

US and Israel attack Iran 

The backstory:

On Saturday, the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Tehran, and Trump said the U.S. was starting major combat operations against Iran.

The strikes killed the country’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several other high ranking officials, throwing its leadership into question and raising the risk of regional instability.  

On Sunday, the U.S. military said at least three American service members died in the operation, and five more were seriously injured. 

READ MORE: 3 US service members killed, 5 seriously wounded as strikes continue against Iran

Dig deeper:

This is the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has attacked the Islamic Republic during talks over its nuclear program. Trump says Iran keeps pursuing nuclear work and missile development, and he warned more U.S. casualties were possible.

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