Trump's Iran war timeline confusion explained - Expert breakdown - Al Jazeera English

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A leading Middle East expert analyzes the latest developments in the war between Iran and the United States, following new comments from Donald Trump suggesting the conflict may end sooner than expected.

In this interview, Ross Harrison, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and author of Decoding Iran's Foreign Policy, breaks down the political, economic, and military implications of the ongoing conflict.

Key topics discussed:

Confusion around the White House timeline for the Iran war

Whether U.S. military objectives and political goals are aligned

Iran’s broader regional strategy and its response to the conflict

The role of Gulf states including Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait City

Rising global oil prices and economic consequences of the war

Political risks for Trump ahead of the U.S. midterm elections

According to analysts, Iran’s primary objective may be the survival of its political system while restoring regional deterrence after escalating military strikes.

As oil prices rise and global markets react, the war’s economic impact could reshape both regional politics and U.S. domestic politics. - 03/09/2026.