While U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed that the United States is very close to completing its mission in Iran, stating that the military operation would end quickly and is likely to be resolved within two to three weeks, NBC News reported, citing sources, that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard remains firmly in control.

Based on U.S. intelligence assessments, the network indicated that the current Iranian leaders might be more hardline than their predecessors.

Kiryat Shmona (AFP).

It added, "The Iranian regime shows no signs of collapsing."

Meanwhile, Axios, citing a source close to Trump, reported that the Iranian military leadership has suffered significant losses but has not been shaken, and there is debate over how much it can endure.

Iranian army pledges “crushing” attacks

On Thursday, the Iranian army vowed to carry out “crushing” attacks against the United States and Israel, just hours after Trump threatened severe strikes on the Islamic Republic in the coming weeks, potentially returning it to the “Stone Age.”

The Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, the central operations command of the Iranian armed forces, said in a statement broadcast on state television: "With God’s help, this war will continue until your humiliation, permanent and inevitable regret, and surrender."

It added, "Prepare for our most crushing and destructive operations."

Iranian army chief orders readiness for any attack

Government media also reported on Thursday that Amir Hatami, the commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces, said that "Iranian operations headquarters must monitor enemy movements with the utmost caution and precision" and be ready to confront any form of attack.

State media quoted Hatami as saying, "No hostile forces will survive if the enemies attempt a ground operation."

The media also released silent footage showing Hatami in a room with three other military commanders and on a video call with about twelve additional personnel.