Trump Vows ‘Whatever It Takes’ on Iran as Conflict Widens

Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran on March 2. — Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran on March 2.
Source: Getty Images

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By Jeff Mason and Roxana Tiron

March 2, 2026 at 4:02 PM UTC

Updated on

March 3, 2026 at 5:10 AM UTC

The US sent conflicting messages about how long a war with Iran might last as Israel launched new airstrikes on Monday, with the widening conflict reverberating across the Middle East and upending energy markets.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected the idea of an “endless” war with Iran. But President Donald Trump later insisted there was no fixed timeline. Both refused to rule out putting American boots on the ground.