The U.S. 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 on Monday 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.

"Whatever the time is, it’s okay — whatever it takes,” Trump said. "Right from the beginning, we projected four to five weeks. But we have capability to go far longer than that.”

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