A request from U.S. Central Command for the Pentagon to provide additional support staff has hinted that the military expects the war to last for several months.

CENTCOM reportedly asked the Department of War to send military intelligence officers to its Tampa, Fla., headquarters to assist with Iran operations for at least 100 days, but likely through September, Politico reported.

The White House has repeatedly adjusted its timeline for the duration of hostilities. The CENTCOM request is the latest sign that conflict will last much longer than initially optimistic estimates. 

The Trump administration has insisted that its activities in the Middle East are part of a "special combat operation" and not a full-blown war. The euphemism has attracted considerable derision and mockery, partly due to its similarity to the Russian "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.