The Trump administration has insisted that any potential military conflict with Iran will not evolve into a protracted or 'forever' war. This stance aims to reassure global markets and the public against fears of another long-term Middle East engagement. However, geopolitical experts warn that the conflict could last significantly longer than the White House currently anticipates. Analysts highlight that the risk of a multi-year military involvement remains a serious concern for regional stability. This uncertainty is driving risk-off sentiment, providing support for safe-haven assets like XAU/USD and impacting Brent and WTI crude prices. Global equity markets, including the SPY, are facing downward pressure as investors weigh the potential for prolonged geopolitical escalation.
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