Israel and the US preparing for the Iran war to last at least a month: reports

Israel is preparing for weeks of continued attacks on Iran in close coordination with Washington, Israeli officials said, as the regional war appears set to enter a new phase.

According to Israeli media, military planners believe the current conflict provides an opportunity to significantly weaken Iran.

A senior Israeli general staff officer told Ynet that Israel and the United States should continue the campaign, saying the pressure must not ease until Iran's leadership is forced into collapse.

On Sunday evening, Israeli army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told Israelis to brace for a prolonged conflict during a situation assessment, describing the confrontation as a defining moment for the country.

"It will take more time - however long it takes, it will take", he said. "This is the war of our generation, and it will determine our future and our security here for many years to come".

Statements from US President Donald Trump have echoed similar rhetoric, with Washington openly backing Israel's military campaign and calling for Iran’s "total surrender".

In an interview with the far-right The Times of Israel, Trump said decisions on when to end the war would be taken "mutually" with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underlining the close coordination between the two governments.

Although Trump has not specified how long US forces may remain directly involved, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Friday that Washington expects the war to last between four and six weeks.

When asked whether Israel might continue its strikes on Iran after US operations ended, Trump dismissed the possibility, saying, "I don’t think it’s going to be necessary".

Israeli officials outline plans for next phase

Israeli military officials have described the current moment as a convergence of political and military conditions they believe could be used to inflict lasting damage on Iran.

Defence officials told Israeli media there was "excellent coordination" between Israel and the United States as both prepare for the next stage of the campaign.

According to the Ynet report, Washington and Tel Aviv have divided operational responsibilities, with Israel taking the lead in many of the offensive operations during the first week of the war.

In the coming weeks, officials said the United States is expected to play a larger role, with one official claiming US forces are deploying their capabilities without the same limitations on munitions use.

The next phase is expected to target Iran’s military and industrial infrastructure, along with its technological capabilities.

Discussing Iran’s weapons arsenal, an Israeli army official told Ynet that Iran could rebuild its missile capabilities if attacks stop, claiming the number of ballistic missile launchers had fallen significantly since the start of the war.

However, Israeli defence officials also acknowledged that military pressure alone may not achieve broader political objectives, suggesting that any long-term outcome would ultimately depend on developments inside Iran.

Civilian toll mounts in Iran

As the war enters its second week, Iranian officials say the human cost of the US-Israeli attacks has been severe.

Iran's Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian said at least 1,255 people have been killed and more than 12,000 wounded since the start of the attacks on 28 February. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said the majority of the victims were civilians.

According to Jafarian, the dead include around 200 children and 11 healthcare workers, with victims ranging in age from eight months to 88 years old.

"They were living in their homes or at their workplace," he said.

The bombardment has also damaged large parts of Iran’s healthcare system. Jafarian said 29 clinical facilities have been hit, with 10 forced to shut down, while 52 health centres, 18 emergency service sites and 15 ambulances have also been damaged or destroyed.

Israeli air strikes on oil infrastructure over the weekend sparked major fires and sent thick plumes of smoke over Tehran, raising concerns about environmental and health risks for residents.

The strikes hit several key energy sites, including the Aghdasieh oil warehouse in northeastern Tehran, the Tehran refinery in the south of the capital and the Shahran oil depot in western Tehran.

"The whole city was dark until the afternoon yesterday," Jafarian said, describing the heavy smoke that filled the sky over the capital.