Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and former CIA Director Leon Panetta has warned that the war between the United States and Iran could continue for another six months, with no clear resolution in sight.
In an interview with The Guardian, Panetta said Washington and Tehran are locked in a dangerous stalemate, with very few options for bringing the conflict to an end.
He warned that the confrontation could turn into another “forever war” in the Middle East, similar to the prolonged conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Panetta said President Donald Trump has three options: withdraw from the conflict, continue the current situation with intermittent strikes, or take action to gain control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The former Pentagon chief also expressed concern over turmoil within the U.S. military establishment, saying that resignations and tensions create the impression that “nobody is in charge.”
He warned that China, Russia, North Korea, and terrorist groups could interpret the situation as a sign of weakness on the part of the United States. The Pentagon has rejected the criticism, stating that the institution is functioning normally under the leadership of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Panetta also raised concerns about the prolonged deployment of U.S. forces, citing the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which spent more than 260 days conducting operations without making a port visit.
According to Panetta, troops cannot be kept indefinitely in a war zone without clear plans for rotation and support.
