Israel Envoy: Iran Conflict May Last Several Weeks

New Delhi, March 16, 2026 – Israel's ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, stated on Monday that the ongoing military conflict between Israel, supported by the United States, and Iran could last several more weeks, depending on Tehran's willingness to alter its policies and pursue diplomacy. The hostilities, now in their third week, began on February 28 with coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeted key military infrastructure, prompting Iranian retaliation against Gulf states and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Azar emphasized that Israel has no intention of pursuing a prolonged war or launching a full-scale ground invasion. Instead, the operation focuses on degrading Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and forces involved in regional suppression, such as the Basij militia. "The aims of this operation haven't changed a bit," Azar told reporters during a press conference here. He added that Israel and the U.S. initially anticipated the conflict lasting only a few weeks but noted that Iran's response has extended the timeline. Iranian forces, he said, are now drawing from underground...