By Muhammad Mamman
Iran’s government has declared it is prepared for a prolonged conflict, according to state media and senior officials, as tensions with the United States and Israel deepen into one of the most serious military confrontations in the Middle East in years. 
Senior Iranian aides, speaking on national television on Wednesday, rejected the possibility of negotiations with Washington and said Tehran had the capacity to sustain military operations for an extended period. “We can continue the war as long as we want,” one official said, underscoring Tehran’s resolve amid intensifying violence. 
The developments follow a series of coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on key Iranian military and government targets, part of an operation dubbed Lion’s Roar by Israeli authorities. These attacks have targeted strategic infrastructure, command centres, and missile sites across Iran, contributing to mounting casualties and heightening the risk of broader regional conflagration. 
In recent days, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned of widespread destruction if hostilities expand, and state media reported that more than 1,000 people in Iran had been killed in bombardments since the conflict began. 
Analysts say Tehran’s public messaging aims to signal both internal preparedness and deterrence. Iran’s leadership has accused the U.S. and Israel of ignoring diplomatic channels and pushing the region towards open warfare — rhetoric that comes amid global calls for de-escalation. 
However, responses from Washington and Tel Aviv suggest that military operations will persist. Israeli officials, while downplaying a years-long conflict, have acknowledged that the campaign may take time to achieve its objectives. U.S. leadership has similarly hinted at a capacity for sustained action as long as necessary to counter perceived threats. 
Human rights groups and civilian casualty reports have raised alarm over the humanitarian impact of the strikes, highlighting the toll on non-combatants amid a conflict that shows few signs of abating. 
Across the Middle East and beyond, governments and international organisations are watching closely, with some urging restraint and others preparing for potential escalation as the diplomatic window narrows. 
