White House preparing for prolonged Iran conflict over Hormuz - report
US officials believe the conflict could last from several days to weeks, depending on whether Iran continues attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported
Assessment
The White House is reportedly bracing for a sustained military engagement with Iran centered on the Strait of Hormuz, with the duration tied directly to Iran's actions against commercial shipping. This signals that the US views the current escalation not as a brief skirmish but as a potentially open-ended confrontation. The key variable is whether Iran chooses to persist with attacks on merchant vessels, which would determine if the conflict stretches from days into weeks. The strategic stakes involve global energy transit through one of the world's most critical chokepoints.