The United States says the duration of its current confrontation with Iran will depend on developments in the Strait of Hormuz and whether Tehran continues attacking ships transiting the strategic waterway.
According to The Times of Israel, citing Axios, a US official said on July 9, 2026, that Washington does not expect the crisis to follow a fixed timeline. “The current escalation between the United States and Iran could last a day or two, a week or a month,” the official said, depending on Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The official also warned that the US was prepared to respond forcefully if the reported attacks continue, saying, “We’re going to slap them a bit so they understand we’re not joking around.”
The report said US officials are closely monitoring developments as tensions remain high. While no specific military timeline or additional measures were disclosed, the official indicated that future US actions would be determined by Iran’s conduct in the strategic waterway.
