Attack on Iran could buoy Trump in talks with China's Xi - Reuters

"President Trump has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it may or may not take. Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks."

— Pete Hegseth , Executive

"This is not Iraq. This is not endless."

— Pete Hegseth , Executive

"Iran’s conventional missile program was growing rapidly and dramatically, and this posed a very clear, colossal threat to America and our forces."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"if necessary"

— Donald Trump , Politician

"Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"Whatever the time is, it’s OK. Whatever it takes."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"foolishness to expect U.S. officials to say publicly 'here’s exactly how far we’ll go.'"

— Pete Hegseth , Executive

"the White House believed Israel was determined to act on its own, leaving the president with a 'very difficult decision.'"

— Mike Johnson , Politician

"I’m not happy with the way they’re going."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"I’d rather not tell you."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"'Operation Epic Fury approved ... Good luck.'"

— Dan Caine , Executive

"the indirect talks got off to a good start and that a decision on how to proceed with further rounds would be taken after consulting with the capitals."

— Abbas Araghchi , Politician

"the consequences are very steep."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"Iran looks like they want to make a deal very badly – as they should."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"It was useful to clarify both Iranian and American thinking and identify areas for possible progress."

— Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi , Politician

"U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran are unacceptable."

— Wang Yi , Activist

"blatant killing of a sovereign leader and the incitement of regime change were unacceptable."

— Wang Yi , Activist

"take over the government."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"The objective is to choke out the primary source of cheap oil to China."

— Madi Kapparov , Academic

"There appears to be the elements of a strategy in the U.S., and it seems to be making real progress."

— Ross Babbage , Executive

"China is proving to be a feckless friend for its authoritarian allies."

— Nicholas Burns , Academic

"The strikes on Iran and the potential regime change will severely impact China's interests."

— Zhao Minghao , Academic

"Combat operations are currently proceeding at full capacity, and vowing to continue the attack on Iran until all objectives are achieved."

— Donald Trump , Politician