Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Officials in the administration of Donald Trump and Israeli military leaders have indicated that the ongoing military campaign against Iran could continue for several more weeks, even as economic concerns mount over the potential global impact of the widening conflict in the Middle East.
Senior US officials said they expect the conflict to conclude within weeks, possibly sooner, though Washington has signaled that it is not yet prepared to pursue a negotiated settlement with Tehran. President Trump said the United States is currently not ready to make a deal with Iran to end the fighting, suggesting that military operations may continue until strategic objectives are achieved.
The comments come as the region faces growing economic uncertainty linked to disruptions in energy markets and maritime trade routes. Economists have warned that instability in the Middle East, particularly around critical oil transport corridors, could trigger a broader global slowdown if supply interruptions persist.
One of the most immediate concerns is the status of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow shipping lane through which a significant portion of the world’s oil exports passes. Iran has effectively disrupted navigation through the strait, raising fears about the stability of global energy supplies.
Multiple officials in the Trump administration sought to reassure markets and international partners that the closure would likely be temporary. According to US officials, several countries are expected to assist in reopening the waterway and restoring the safe passage of commercial vessels.
At the same time, Iran signaled that diplomatic engagement remains possible on the issue of maritime access. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran is open to holding talks with countries seeking secure access through the strategic corridor, suggesting that negotiations could play a role in easing tensions around the vital shipping route.
Meanwhile, Israel indicated that its military operations are set to continue for an extended period. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the campaign targeting Iranian military capabilities is expected to last at least three more weeks.
The Israeli military said it carried out strikes on more than 200 targets in Iran within a single day, focusing on what it described as ballistic missile infrastructure and air defense systems in western and central parts of the country. In a statement, the Israeli military said the targets included command centers used by Iranian personnel, weapons storage facilities, production sites, and defensive systems.
The military also released aerial footage that it said showed several of the strikes. Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on the Israeli statement.
Casualty figures and reports of damage continue to mount as the conflict intensifies. An Iranian diplomat said more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the war, while at least 850 people have reportedly been killed in Lebanon amid Israeli attacks there.
Iranian media outlets have reported extensive damage to civilian infrastructure across the country. According to figures cited by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, US and Israeli strikes since the start of the conflict have damaged more than 54,000 civilian units.
The agency said the damage includes 29,146 residential units across multiple provinces and 6,851 commercial facilities nationwide. In Tehran province alone, 18,180 residential and commercial units were reportedly affected.
Tasnim also reported damage to 236 health-related facilities, including hospitals, medical centers, emergency response bases, and pharmacies. According to the agency, at least 16 medical workers have been killed and 96 others injured since the strikes began.
The reported figures could not be independently verified, and the circumstances surrounding some of the damage remain unclear.
As military operations continue and diplomatic channels remain uncertain, analysts warn that the conflict risks expanding further across the region. The potential disruption of oil flows, combined with mounting civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, has raised concerns among international observers that the war could trigger broader geopolitical and economic consequences if it continues for an extended period.
