U.S. Senator Tom Cotton stated that the joint U.S. and Israeli military operation against Iran will last "weeks, not days," emphasizing the broad scope of the operation.

Cotton, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in an interview with CBS News:

"We're probably looking at the combined efforts of the U.S., Israel, and our Arab partners, not weeks or days. This morning, our Arab partners were also attacked. There are three main objectives: to end Iran's nuclear program, to destroy its ballistic missile capabilities, and to dismantle the regime's terror support network. Doing all of that will take much longer than the nuclear facility strikes last summer."

Cotton stated that the aim of the operation is to end the Iranian regime, which has been waging a "war" against the U.S. for 47 years. "The Ayatollahs will finally face justice," Cotton said, adding that Iran is paying the "butcher's bill" for its nuclear weapons, thousands of ballistic missiles, and sponsorship of terrorism.

The operation began on the morning of February 28, 2026, with large-scale airstrikes announced by US President Donald Trump as "Operation Epic Fury." Trump called on the Iranian people to "overthrow the government," signaling regime change.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Iran's religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the attacks with "numerous signs." While Iran denied this, it is reported that high-ranking members of the regime, including the defense minister and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, were eliminated in the initial minutes. Western security sources report that there is "panic" within Iranian intelligence and security agencies and that "everything is falling apart."

In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks on US bases and Israel. The US military stated that there were no casualties and that the damage was "minimal." Airspace was closed across the region, sirens were sounding, and claims of civilian targets were circulating in Iranian media.

Cotton confirmed to Congress that the operation (under Gang of Eight) had been notified in advance and said the Trump administration had fulfilled its obligations. While Republicans supported the operation, some Democrats criticized it, calling it an "illegal war."

Experts are debating whether the operation, by targeting the regime's weak points, could lead to regime change. Cotton's statement that it would "last for weeks" seems consistent with Netanyahu's statement that it would "continue as long as necessary." As tensions in the region rapidly escalate, the international community is concerned about the spread of the conflict.
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