What are the U.S. military's goals in Iran?

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published March 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM EST

A plume of smoke rises following a U.S.-Israeli military strike in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP)

President Trump says the U.S. operation in Iran is expected to last about four to five weeks, but the military has the capability to go on much longer than that.

NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman joins us to discuss the U.S. military strategy in Iran.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

More from WGCU

Government & Politics

Winter Haven man identified as one of the six U.S. troop casualties in Iran war

The Associated Press

An American soldier from Winter Haven, Florida, has been identified as one of the six U.S. casualties in the Iran war. Three other soldiers were also identified. Israel stepped up airstrikes on Iranian missile launchers and a nuclear research site, and Iran retaliated against Israel and across the Gulf region, disrupting energy supplies and travel. As explosions rang out in Tehran and in Lebanon — where Israel said it struck Hezbollah militants — the American embassy in Saudi Arabia and the U.S. consulate in the United Arab Emirates came under drone attacks. Four days into a war that President Donald Trump suggested would last several weeks but perhaps longer, hundreds of people have been killed in Iran, including people Trump said he had considered as possible future leaders of the country.
Education

Some parents say adjustment — not chaos — defines Florida’s school phone restrictions

Ian McGhie

Parents have mixed feelings about Florida's ban on cell phones in the classroom.
Arts & Culture

Multiple opera performances take place this week at the Sarasota Opera House, Artis-Naples and the Wang Opera Center

Tom Hall

Multiple opera performances take place this week at the Sarasota Opera House, Artis-Naples and the Wang Opera Center in Naples.

What are the U.S. military's goals in Iran?

Featured Local Savings

Featured Local Savings

What are the U.S. military's goals in Iran?

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Featured Local Savings

Featured Local Savings